Sod Turning for New Schools in Colchester County

Students in Bible Hill and Tatamagouche are closer to enjoying the benefits of new innovative schools designed to support learning and skill development to help them succeed.

Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey was joined by area students today, Sept. 28, to turn the first sods for both schools.

"I want to congratulate the school steering teams, government departments, and the school board for working together to ensure the school designs meet the needs of the students and their communities," said Ms. Casey.

"We are committed to capital projects that will ensure our schools are safe, modern and well-equipped for the future."

In Tatamagouche, a new P-12 school, which will be home to more than 400 students, will replace North Colchester High and Tatamagouche Elementary. The new school will be on the property of the existing North Colchester High School. This project was announced in the 2014-15 capital plan.

The new facility will draw on the community's lumbering and shipbuilding heritage. The school will feature learning space wings, a skilled-trades centre, technology labs and a core area that includes a cafeteria, library and gymnasium.

In Bible Hill, a new P-4 school will replace Bible Hill Central and Bible Hill East Court Road elementary schools. The new school will be built on the property of the existing Bible Hill Central Elementary School. This project was announced in 2009 and reconfirmed in 2012 as part of the 2013-14 capital plan.

The school will have a welcoming entrance and common area that includes a cafeteria and access to a gymnasium. A library and visual arts spaces are strategically located and designed to provide a modern learning street for the classrooms.

It will also feature a new community park that includes two playing fields.

Construction is also beginning on a new P-12 school for Bridgetown that will house 500 students and will replace Bridgetown Regional Elementary School and Bridgetown Regional High School.

The three schools are scheduled to open in 2017-18.

"Education is the cornerstone of our province's future success and these schools will be a modern learning space for students to achieve their goals," said Ms. Casey.