Construction Begins on New West Highlands Elementary School

Students and families in Amherst will soon have a brand new elementary school that will bring more resources and opportunities to the classroom and the community.

Premier Darrell Dexter and Cumberland North MLA Brian Skabar joined Amherst Mayor Rob Small, Chignecto Central Regional School Board members and Amherst parents and students today, July 15, at a sod-turning ceremony celebrating the beginning of construction on the new West Highlands Elementary School.

"Communities rely on schools for many reasons--they are places to learn, develop and grow relationships, and bring the community together," said Premier Dexter. "The province is putting children first and helping build stronger communities by opening new schools in communities that need them and renovating schools that still have life in them.

"The new West Highlands Elementary School will give students more opportunities to learn and build the strong foundations they need for a successful future."

The province is investing $11.1 million to replace the current 100-year-old West Highlands School. The bigger building will be able to accommodate 275 students in grades Primary to six.

"The staff and students of West Highlands are anxious and excited to see the progress that is being made toward the construction of our new school," said Principal Kevin Mapplebeck. "As we say goodbye to our current school, where an excellent standard of education has been provided to this community for over a century, we look forward to proudly carrying on the tradition of excellence as we enter a new facility."

The new school is being built on what is referred to in the community as the Amherst Lions Club site. The 2.8-hectare location is in the centre of the current school's catchment area.

"The construction of a new school brings exciting educational, social and physical opportunities for students and staff," said school board superintendent and CEO Gary Clarke. "This new facility will replace a school that has reached the century mark and has served its community very well. The school board is appreciative of the province's support for this new school and we look forward to working with provincial staff as construction moves forward."

Work on the new school is expected to be complete in time for the beginning of the 2014/15 school year.