The new K-5 school being constructed in Saint John’s north end will have a community hub after all.
Education Minister Bill Hogan announced just over $12 million for a pilot project on Friday morning.
“It’s going to respond to educational, social, emotional needs for both the children and the community,” Hogan told reporters.
The integrated hub will include childcare spaces, after-school programs, and spaces for community partners.
In September, officials announced that the new school would be built on the former Crescent Valley School site on Ropewalk Road.
The new school will replace Hazen White-St. Francis School and Centennial School, both of which are more than 55 years old.
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Officials did not commit to having a community hub at the new school but said there would be space should a $7.5-million pilot project planned for the new south end school prove to be a success.
“After we made the initial announcement here, we did a tour of what was already in this school, and when we went back to the department, we said, ‘This is already in this school. How unfair would it be to the community to remove that or to have it in a different location?'” said Hogan when asked about the change.
Education officials also announced Friday that the new school is now anticipated to open in September 2027, one year later than initially planned.
A department spokesperson said the delay is due to the additional work needed to integrate the community hub into the design of the facility.
“They’re in the process of tearing down the old school that’s on the current site where we want to build it. I certainly hope that we don’t delay it any longer than we need to,” said Hogan.
“So we’re going to look to make up that time as we move forward, as with the rest of the schools that we’ve announced.”
The total cost of the new school is expected to be nearly $54 million, which includes the $12 million for the integrated hub.
The school will have space for up to 522 students. The hub, while attached to the building, will operate as an independent facility.
