Budget 2010 Continues Substantial Investments in Education Infrastructure

Through an investment of $183.6 million in Budget 2010, the Williams Government is continuing its aggressive infrastructure program in the education system throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Ensuring all students are educated in quality and safe learning environments is a priority for our government,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education. “In the last several years we have made record financial investments to upgrade and replace out-dated infrastructure. We are maintaining this momentum in Budget 2010 with new and continued funding for priority projects in both the K-12 and post-secondary education systems.”

K-12 Infrastructure

Additional funding of $14.3 million will be invested in Budget 2010 to continue high priority repair and maintenance projects throughout all five school districts. This brings the total investment this year to $34.3 million.

Budget 2010 provides $6.2 million for spending on new infrastructure projects in the K-12 system, including $500,000 to begin planning for a new high school in the west end of St. John’s. As well, the Provincial Government commits to replacing Virginia Park Elementary in St. John’s with a new school.

“Our government recognizes the need for these two new schools and we’re pleased to announce that they will soon become a reality,” said Minister King. “We have listened to the community and acted so that students in these regions will be able to attend new, modern schools in their area.”

Additional new infrastructure projects for the K-12 system include:

• $1.5 million for the construction of additional classrooms and other upgrades at St. Paul’s Intermediate in Gander;
• $1.2 million for an expansion and a new skilled trades suite at New World Island Academy;
• $500,000 to begin detailed design work for redevelopment of Exploits Valley High in Grand Falls-Windsor; and,
• $2.5 million for building upgrades and an extension for Roncalli Elementary in St. John’s.

Budget 2010 also includes $73 million in funding for the continuation of education infrastructure projects as follows:

• $13.1 million to continue construction of a new school in Baie Verte;
• $5.4 million to complete construction of a new school in L’Anse au Loup;
• $11.5 million to complete construction of the two new Paradise elementary schools;
• $3.7 million to complete construction of a new school in Placentia;
• $7.4 million to complete construction of a new school in Port Hope Simpson;
• $4.3 million to complete construction of a new school in Port Saunders;
• $4 million to complete construction of a new school to replace Holy Trinity Elementary in Torbay;
• $1.6 million to complete the redevelopment of Cannon Richard’s Elementary in Flower’s Cove;
• $5.9 million to complete the extension at Balbo Elementary in Clarenville;
• $650,000 to complete the extension and renovations at St. Peter’s Junior High in Mount Pearl;
• $5 million to commence construction of the new school to replace St. Teresa’s Elementary in St. John’s;
• $2 million to commence construction of the new school to replace Davis Elementary in Carbonear;
• $345,000 to continue the extension for Upper Gullies Elementary; and,
• $5 million to continue construction of the new K-12 school for St. Anthony

Post-secondary Infrastructure

In keeping with its commitment, the Provincial Government will invest $18 million this year to begin construction of a 500-bed residence at Memorial University’s St. John’s Campus and a 200-bed residence at the Corner Brook campus, at a total combined cost of $88.3 million. In addition, $7.5 million will be allocated to continue upgrading existing residences at Memorial’s St. John’s campus.

An additional $3.2 million will be provided to Memorial University in 2010-11 for its deferred maintenance plan and laboratory upgrades for a total budget of $7.2 million. As well, $3.4 million will be invested in Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic in accordance with the directions of the white paper on post-secondary education.

With a provincial investment of over $30 million, several post-secondary infrastructure projects will see continued progress. These include:

• $11.5 million for the construction of the new College of the North Atlantic Labrador West campus (plus federal government funding of $3.8 million);
• $3.3 million for continuation of roof and ventilation upgrades for the College of the North Atlantic’s Prince Phillip Drive Campus (plus Federal Government funding of $1.1 million);
• $2.5 million for building upgrades and improved ventilation for the Seal Cove campus of the College of the North Atlantic (plus Federal Government funding of $1.5 million); and,
• $13 million for construction of the new academic building at Memorial’s Corner Brook campus (plus Federal Government funding of $5.7 million).

Budget 2010 also allocates $250,000 to the Provincial Information and Libraries Resources Board for priority repairs and maintenance projects in provincial library sites.

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