Saskatchewan students and communities will benefit from major upgrades to schools throughout the province this year. The Government of Saskatchewan announced approximately $22.5 million in the 2006-07 Mid-Year Report to improve the learning environment in pre-kindergarten to Grade 12 schools and to cover construction inflation costs.

“Investments in education will continue to focus on meeting the needs of families and ensuring their children grow into healthy and well-educated adults,” Learning Minister Deb Higgins said. “Support for these projects demonstrates the govern-ment’s commitment to providing modern, well-equipped learning facilities for Sask-atchewan students.”

Approximately $10.8 million of the additional funding will be used for 66 improvement projects in schools around the province. They include roof replacements and restoration, mechanical system upgrades, program area renovations, small additions and portable classrooms, as well as preliminary planning funding. Funding for these projects will be cost-shared with school divisions across the province.

In Prairie Valley School Division, approved projects are: three relocatable classrooms for Balcarres Community School; partial roof replacement at Greenall High School in Balgonie; a science lab code upgrade at Cupar School;

Gym washroom plumbing work at Bert Fox Community High School in Fort Qu’Appelle; partial roof replacement at Indian Head Elementary School; structural work on the gym floor at Milestone High School, and gym washroom plumbing work at Pilot Butte School.

The funding also includes approximately $5.9 million for the completion of the construction of Ile a la Crosse School and an addition and renovations at La Loche Community School in Northern Lights School Division, at a cost of $3.9 million and $2 million respectively.

The Saskatoon Public School Division will receive approximately $3.1 million for the completion of Centennial Collegiate in Saskatoon.

The remaining funding, approximately $2.7 million, will be used to cover construction inflation costs. Including these projects, the total commitment by the government to pre-k to Grade 12 capital projects this fiscal year is $44.5 million. Additional details on specific projects will be announced in the upcoming months.

“We need to access every advantage our society and economy can provide to ensure that our students achieve excellence in our education system,” Higgins said. “We will continue to work with school divisions to improve learning environments and make Saskatchewan the best place for young people to live, work and build strong futures.”