This morning the Province of Manitoba and the Louis Riel School Division announced construction will begin next year on an early learning to Grade 8 school in Sage Creek.  The school will accomodate between 450 and 600 children as well as 114 new child care spaces.  Construction is expected to conclude in 2016.

On hand for the announcement were Premier Greg Selinger, Minister of Education Nancy Allan, Southdale MLA and Minister of Advanced Education Erin Selby as well as the chair of the Louis Riel School Division Hugh Coburn.  Sage Creek resident Dale Hawthorne was on hand with his wife Trish and their young daughter to speak on behalf of residents.

For many in Sage Creek this is the annoucement they’ve been waiting for.  The children of this community will soon have the brand new state of the art school they deserve.

You can read the entire Government of Manitoba News Release below.

The provincial government is announcing a new early learning to Grade 8 school in Sage Creek with the Louis Riel School Division, as a part of a commitment to build Manitoba’s critical infrastructure and protect the services that matter most to Manitoba families, Premier Greg Selinger said today.

“Every parent wants to give their child the very best start possible and that can’t happen without strong schools,” said Selinger.  “There was a time when uncertainty in the economy meant cuts to education, but we know building and improving our schools will always be a priority for parents.”

Budget 2013 and the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan include funds to secure the land and finalize designs for a school up to 68,000 square foot, in partnership with the Louis Riel School Division.  The school will be built on 6.44 acres at the corner of Sage Greek Boulevard and Edward Turner Drive.

“The Louis Riel School Board is excited for the students, parents and all members of the Sage Creek community.  We look forward to collaborating with the community as we work at developing a new Sage Creek school,” said Hugh Coburn, chair of the Louis Riel School Division.

The new, state-of-the-art school, which will accommodate between 450 and 600 students, will feature:

The school will also include an early learning and child-care centre that will provide a warm and caring environment with up to 114 new child-care spaces, the premier said.

“This year, we’re putting new resources into our classrooms to reduce class sizes and give our kids more of the attention that they need, and a new school in Sage Creek will give parents and children in the area access to these improvements, closer to home,” said Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby.

Since 1999, the Manitoba government has invested more than $845 million to build 31 new schools and renovate and improve schools across the province, the premier said.

“The new school in Sage Creek is a part of the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan to meet Manitoba’s critical infrastructure needs including flood protection, health centres, roads, as well as schools,” said Selinger.  “The plan will create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth.”

Further community consultation and design for the new school will start this spring.  Construction is expected to commence in 2014 and be completed by 2016.

The school will exceed the province’s Green Building Policy by targeting Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Standard building certification.