N.B. government spends $31 million on upgrades to high school in Five Rivers

New Brunswick's provincial flag flies on a flag pole in Ottawa, Friday, July 3, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The New Brunswick government announced millions in funding on Monday for renovations and addition at three schools

The province says Bonar Law Memorial School in Five Rivers (Rexton) will receive $31 million in upgrades.

“High school is a place that prepares young people for what’s next – whether it’s careers or post-secondary education,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson in a news release Monday.

“They need facilities and resources that allow them to explore their options and develop their skills and competencies. Modernizing the school and creating more space for the growing number of students at Bonar Law will help students thrive and succeed.”

Built in 1978, the school only currently accommodates 515 students, but enrolment in the school has grown more than eight per cent a year over the last five years, and over 50 per cent since 2019. The government says their goal is to modernize the facility.

“We are deeply grateful for this investment in Bonar Law Memorial School, a school that has supported our students and community for almost 50 years,” said Dean Mutch, superintendent of Anglophone North School District.

“This mid-life upgrade ensures the building remains a safe, inspiring place for our students and staff for many years to come. We truly believe that our rural and small community schools are critical, and they are worth investing in.”

The project is estimated to take seven years. The plan includes adding an additional 3,095 square feet which will accommodate:

• three general classrooms
• a multi-purpose room
• a vocational shop
• a shared classroom
• a family studies space
• a clothing and human development lab

“I look forward to working with the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to ensure Bonar Law Memorial is a school that continues to meet the community’s needs for decades to come,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chiasson.

The government says there are also plans for resource rooms and offices, as well as a student services space.

Construction is set to begin in 2027-2028, with the expected completion date being in 2033.

The provincial government has also confirmed funding for two schools in Dieppe, with $1.5 million allocated in 2026-27 for preliminary mid-life upgrades at École Mathieu-Martin and École Carrefour de l’Acadie.

The 12-year, $78.2-million project will begin with an assessment of the space needs of the school.

École Mathieu-Martin is one of the largest francophone schools in Atlantic Canada, with almost 1,500 students. The building it shares with École Carrefour de l’Acadie was constructed in 1971.

Michel Côté, chair of the Francophone sud school district education council, in a statement, says the funding is a long-awaited milestone for the Dieppe school community.

“It reflects the vitality of our district and the importance of investing in infrastructure that matches the growth we are experiencing,” said Côté. “The education council welcomes this decision and reaffirms its commitment to fostering close collaboration with the government to provide all our students with learning environments that are well-suited to their success and well-being.”

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