Mainland North School Construction Planned

A new school will be built to serve the growing population in Halifax's Mainland North region and replace Halifax West High School, Education Minister Jane Purves announced today.

"We have to look at the long-term educational needs of students growing up in the Mainland North area of Halifax," Ms. Purves said. "This is a growing community, and this school will take care of several pressing educational needs."

The new school, projected to hold around 1,500 students, will take in about 900 students in the Halifax West population as well as students in the rapidly expanding area.

The $26 million project replaces a previously approved plan to renovate Halifax West High School. Final engineering studies indicated that it would cost $7.4 million to do critical repairs and upgrades to Halifax West. However, the engineer, after community consultation, recommended additional enhancements that would bring the project up to $11.4 million.

"This renovation would only solve one problem," Ms. Purves said. "There are other needs to meet, and after careful analysis along with the Halifax Regional School Board, we believe we should take this opportunity to meet them."

Sandra Everett, chair of the Halifax Regional School Board, commended the minister for taking a very thorough look at the needs of the community. She said the board has been working in recent months to develop an overall plan for Halifax area high schools, and it is clear that the present facilities in this area cannot hold the students coming up.

"A Mainland North high school will relieve present and potential overcrowding in neighbouring schools," Mrs. Everett said. "This also offers an opportunity to have more programs like French Immersion in another area of the city."

The Mainland North project will proceed immediately, and the school is projected to open in the fall of 2002. Halifax West students are currently sharing J.L. Ilsley High School on a split shift, and the school board will meet with the school communities to determine if that interim arrangement will continue.

Government is currently considering recommendations of the School Capital Construction Committee with a view to developing a long- term plan for school facilities across the province. School boards submitted requests which were reviewed by the committee.

Staff from the Department of Education has been working closely with the school board and the Halifax Regional Municipality to identify a site for the new facility on the Halifax North Mainland Commons. Halifax Regional Municipality council has approved in principle a contribution of land and services for the project, worth in excess of $1 million dollars.

"All levels of government have to work together to meet the long- term needs of students in our growing municipality," said Peter Kelly, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality. "This is a very positive collaboration between the Government of Nova Scotia, the Halifax Regional Municipality, and the Halifax Regional School Board."