PROVINCE APPROVES SEVERAL MAJOR SCHOOL CAPITAL PROJECTS

Students at Regina's Arcola Elementary School received good news today as Education Minister Ken Krawetz committed to major capital upgrades at their school as well as several other Saskatchewan schools, including Regina's Douglas Park Elementary School and Campbell Collegiate.

"Improving Saskatchewan's schools is a priority for our government and my ministry," Krawetz said. "I am committed to ensuring Saskatchewan schools not only provide quality education to our students, but that they also provide a quality learning environment for the children of our province."

Earlier today, Premier Brad Wall announced at St. Mary Community School in Saskatoon that funding would be available in next year's budget to support new capital school projects, including $8.3 million for St. Mary Community School. The other projects to be funded in 2009-10 are located in Regina, Hafford, Elrose and Weyburn. Early estimates for this funding total $60.3 million.

Further to this, Humboldt Elementary and Turnor Lake schools have been approved in principle for 2010-11. Projects announced today all move into a new phase of the major school capital approval process called Approval-in-Principle.

"This enhanced process provides the community with an opportunity to plan ahead and consult with school divisions to explore partnerships and options for community revitalization," Krawetz said. "Through these consultations, we'll be confident that the improved facilities reflect the needs of the community."

Other advantages to the new process include more time for detailed planning and enhanced project cost control.

Earlier this year, the Government of Saskatchewan committed $117.6 million for Kindergarten to Grade 12 school capital and block funding projects as part of the Government of Saskatchewan's Ready for Growth initiative.

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For more information, contact:

Leya Moore
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1069
Email: leya.moore@gov.sk.ca