The community's vision for a new school in the south central peninsula can be seen in this architectural rendering. (Photo: Develop Saint John/Submitted)
A Saint John councillor says a new school in the central peninsula is a must for the community.
The community’s vision for a new K-to-8 school will be unveiled during an open house Tuesday night.
David Hickey, a Ward 3 councillor, said when he thinks of a new school, the biggest word which comes to mind is transformative.
“The design of the school, the proposition of building not only a school but a community hub, is huge and completely transformative for both the south end and the community as a whole,” said Hickey.
“Given the conditions of our current schools, physically, I think it is a must.”
The Anglophone South School District has made the new school its top priority, which Hickey said highlights the need, but the provincial government has yet to set aside funding for it.
Hickey said with a projected surplus for this year, he is sure the province can make it a priority.
“It has to be, it has to be for our community and it has to be for the central peninsula as a whole,” he said.
“We’ve seen substantial growth in the uptown, south end and Waterloo Village, but we need that transformative catalyst that is something like a new school.”
Tuesday night’s open house will take place at the St. John the Baptist/King Edward School on St. James Street from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
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