Education Minister Dustin Duncan toured John Paul II on Friday, along with othr provincial delegates. (submitted/Light of Christ Catholic School Division)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

School stop

Education Minister meets with catholic school division amid JP II tour

Jun 18, 2022 | 8:00 AM

Work is progressing on improvements for John Paul II Collegiate (JP II) in North Battleford.

Education Minister Dustin Duncan toured the school while meeting with board members of the Light of Christ Catholic School Division (LOCCSD). This made up for a previously scheduled date to talk about the renovation project at JP II.

“We had a really great meeting, talked about seeing the project move forward,” Duncan said. “We also discussed topics such as the mental health of staff and students.”

The province is continuing support in the $11.5 million renovation project. Duncan said that given the rising costs of goods and services in the past year, they’ve increased their commitment to handle increases that will come with those higher costs.

“With inflation in the last six months to a year, we knew that we were likely going to be adjusting budgets, so we have for this project as well,” he said.

Early Game Struggles

North Stars almost complete comeback in Kindersley

5h ago

Honouring a neighbour

'He's smiling down at us': Wes Petterson Memorial Park opens in Weldon with special ceremony

9h ago

Investigation

RCMP investigating death on Sweetgrass First Nation

Sep 21, 2024

This part of more than 15 major capital projects underway in Saskatchewan. Duncan said it’s important to provide flexibility for these projects by expediting them if they’re within 25 per cent.

“Anything over that will undertake a different process, where it has to go back the treasury board and cabinet, but in order to move a number of these projects along, we decided to provide more margin to fast track them,” he said.

Cory Rideout, Director of Education for LOCCSD, said this renovation goes beyond repairs to facilities. This includes the installation of theatre space for arts, drama and music, as well as more for shop class, home economics and more.

“We’ll be able to expand our program here at John Paull II and provide an even better educational experience for our students and families,” Rideout said.

“Our staff are excited about the new space and I’m excited to learn about the new programming they have in their minds.”

He noted that the division’s timeline for the project is on track after initial delays a few years ago. The next meeting is with architects in July and project work begins this summer, with completion expected in September of 2023.

“We’ll be pretty close to what we expected to be with completion time,” Rideout said. “COVID got in the way at first, so we’ve been planning for well over a year.”

One the prospect of rising costs, Rideout said he’s confident in what’s been planned for.

“Our MLA’s have gone out of their way to support the project and get the extra funds.”

—

cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW