The government has acquired a portion of the New Brunswick Provincial Exhibition Ground land to move forward with construction of a new middle school in Fredericton.
"A school is one of the most important buildings in any community. It's where our kids learn, where teachers help them find their potential, and where families come together," said Premier Susan Holt. "When we invest in a new school, we're investing in a space that will serve generations of students, support the people who work there every day, and be a place the whole community can take pride in. Our kids and our communities deserve schools that are built to meet their needs."
"The current school has served the community for over a century," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. "We are committed to making sure that students have what they need to succeed. Through this project, students will benefit from a modern, accessible learning environment designed to meet their needs today and into the future."
The project was approved in the 2026-27 capital budget with a total budget of $96.78 million. The city made the land available for purchase.
"A modern and accessible middle school located within walking distance of neighbourhoods, students and families is a critical need for our growing city," said Fredericton Mayor Steve Hicks. "Keeping schools in the urban core helps build connected and vibrant communities and makes Fredericton a more attractive place to live for everyone. We're happy to collaborate with the province on this project and look forward to seeing it come to life."
The project is in the design phase, with $13.8 million committed in 2026-27 to advance planning and design work.
The new school will be designed for an enrolment of 810 students. It will be about 50 per cent larger than the existing school and will include 32 classrooms, eight specialized classrooms, two gymnasiums, student services, a library, a cafeteria, a black box theatre and space dedicated to First Nations language and culture, as well as staff and administration areas.
"This is great news for students, families and staff in Fredericton," said Wallace Carr, chair of the district education council for Anglophone West School District. "We've been looking forward to a new school for some time, and it's encouraging to see the plans taking shape."
Enrolment at George Street Middle School last year was 741 students.
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027-28, with the new school expected to open in 2030-31.
