The Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and Minister of Rural Economic Development, was in Paradise on January 24 to provide an update on the new high school planned for the town. Minister Hutton was joined by the Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education; the Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills and MHA for Mount Scio; and His Worship Dan Bobbett, Mayor of Paradise.
The Provincial Government has purchased 11.32 acres of land in Paradise on Dianne Whelan Drive from Karwood Estates Inc. at a total cost of $3.4 million for the site of the new school.
The Provincial Government committed to working with the Town of Paradise on the site selection and, since that time, work has been ongoing to determine the best location. The new school will be constructed near Paradise Intermediate School.
A request for proposals will be issued in the coming weeks for a consultant team that will provide technical advisory services to develop a design-build tender package for the new high school.
A number of other school infrastructure projects are underway throughout the province, aimed at enhancing learning environments and outcomes for students. These include:
Portugal Cove-St. Philip's High School
A contract valued at $28,053,300 has been awarded to Lindsay Construction Limited for the design and construction of a new high school in the Town of Portugal Cove-St. Philip's.
In July 2023, the Provincial Government announced that a new high school would be built on Old Broad Cove Road at the corner of Maggie's Place and would include educational spaces for grades 10-12. The total footprint of the new school will be approximately 6,500 square metres.
The project is on track for the opening of the school in 2026.
Kenmount Terrace K-7 School
A design-build request for proposals for the Kenmount Terrace school project was issued on November 7, 2024, and closes on February 13, 2025.
When the project was announced in September 2023, the Provincial Government committed to consultations to determine the exact grade configuration to best meet the needs of students and families in the area. Following the consultations, a K-7 school was recommended for the area.
Dorset Collegiate - Extension and Redevelopment
A contract valued at $25,769,600 has been awarded to Brook Construction (2007) Inc. for the extension and re-development of Dorset Collegiate on Pilley's Island. The public tender call/open call for bids closed on December 2, 2024.
Dorset Collegiate is currently a grades 7-12 school, and the extension and redevelopment will accommodate the addition of students from K-6, facilitating the consolidation of all students in the region into one school.
Cartwright K-12 School
A contract valued at approximately $1.4 million was awarded to Gibbons Snow Architects Inc. in October 2023 for the planning and design of a new K-12 school in the Town of Cartwright to replace the existing Henry Gordon Academy.
The tender for construction of the new school, including a community library, pre-kindergarten space and gym, will be posted mid-February.
Budget 2024 included funding of $41 million in 2024-25, and $146 million over the next three years, for new schools in Cartwright, Kenmount Terrace, Portugal Cove-St. Philip's, and Pilley's Island, as well as the $50,000 allocated for the planning of the school in Paradise.
Quotes
"Public infrastructure is integral to the well-being of the residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, and school infrastructure is an important component of that infrastructure. I am delighted that a site has been chosen for the new high school in Paradise, as well as the progress being made on all of our school infrastructure projects."
Honourable Fred Hutton, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Minister of Rural Economic Development
"A modern school setting is necessary as we prepare students for the future. The new high school in Paradise will provide a positive learning and teaching environment for students, teachers and staff, and is a welcome addition to school infrastructure in the region."
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education
"I'm pleased to see this significant step towards delivering on the commitment of a high school for the Town of Paradise. Families in Elizabeth Park are eagerly awaiting the opening so that their children can stay in the community and build a greater sense of pride in Paradise."
Honourable Sarah Stoodley, Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills, MHA for Mount Scio
"We're thrilled to see the site announced for the new high school for Paradise. Being in the vicinity of Paradise Intermediate School and the Dianne Whalen Memorial Soccer Complex is a great fit for a high school. We appreciated the Provincial Government working with the town to determine the site and it's exciting to be another step closer to having a high school in our town. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with government and seeing this project completed."
His Worship Dan Bobbett, Mayor of Paradise
For more information
Prince Phillip Drive
St. John's Newfoundland
Canada A1B 4J6
www.gov.nl.ca
