News release

New Schools for Truro and Windsor

Education (July 1999 - March 2013)

The province delivered some good news today to students and teachers in two Nova Scotia communities.

Education Minister Jane Purves confirmed the construction of a new school to replace Windsor Regional High School in Hants County. She also approved a new school to replace Truro Junior High School in Colchester County and agreed to accelerate the process for both schools because of their deteriorating condition.

"The structural integrity of both schools has been compromised and long-term use of the facilities is impossible," said Ms Purves. "The construction of these new schools is part of the province's long-term strategy to ensure that money is not wasted on schools that are beyond repair."

Both schools have been identified as top priorities for the department and were slated to be included in next year's capital construction budget. By accelerating these projects by six months, students and taxpayers will benefit through earlier use of the facilities while minimizing cost for upkeep.

Truro Junior High School's gymnasium was destroyed in a fire several years ago, damaging the roof so badly a portion of the building is now closed. If the school was not rebuilt, it would require upgrades for plumbing, classroom sizes, accessibility and significant structural changes.

In September 2000, Ms. Purves toured the 42-year-old Windsor Regional High School. The school was built on low land with significant drainage problems resulting in frequent flooding. The existing building continues to sink into the ground, in some areas up to four inches.

The new school planning and development process is under way in the Chignecto Central School Board. The Annapolis Valley Regional School Board will begin by appointing the site selection committee to propose three sites to the department. Once submissions are made by both school boards, the department will work with the Department of Transportation and Public Works to determine the most topographically and geographically viable sites and begin assessment and acquisition.

The cost to build Truro Junior High School is $11 million, and the Windsor Regional High School is $16 million. With the full co-operation of the site selection committees, school boards, and the departments of Education and Transportation and Public Works, both schools could open as early as September 2003.