The Saskatchewan education minister is celebrating the Alberta-Saskatchewan collaboration and community partnerships as the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School expansion is officially opened.
“The $28.8 million invested in the renovation and expansion of the school is due to the strength of both our provincial economies and reflects our commitment to providing students and teachers with the best possible learning and working environments,” said Jeremy Cockrill.
The new two-story addition includes 16 classrooms, two science rooms, multi-purpose rooms, industrial arts, photography, multi-media, visual arts, green screen room, auto, home economics, and the massive gymnasium. Some 300 students in grade nine will be added to the high school in the fall, as the school adds the grade nine students to the LPSD.
Speaking on behalf of Alberta MLA Garth Rowswell, Doreen McRobert noted the bi-provincial and community partnerships as the school prepares for an influx of grade nines.
“With this project’s completion, you can enroll any additional students and be prepared for those 300 grade nine students transferring over. This expansion indicates that Lloydminster’s population is increasing at the younger end of the age spectrum.”
School principal Dwayne Marciniw, in his remarks, noted the representative group from LPSD middle and elementary schools who will be coming to the Comp starting this fall. He recognized the prospect of future benefits to the school and the community from the collaborative two-year project.
“We are very appreciative of the opportunities that lie ahead for our students as a result of the new space and the opportunities for our students to be able to celebrate and learn about Indigenous and other cultures in our beautiful cultural room which is right outside of Synergy Place.”
Marciniw celebrated some of the other new spaces like the Barons Commons area, “where students can enjoy some sunlight and togetherness or even some silence throughout the day.” The principal saluted the efforts of all the numerous contributors who worked tirelessly to complete the school expansion.
Councillor Michael Diachuk speaking on behalf of the City of Lloydminster saluted the numerous opportunities available to students in Lloydminster and referenced the school motto, “Carpe Diem – Seize the Day.”
A few LPSD middle schoolers shared their aspirations to join the Barons in the coming years with Winston Churchill’s Jacob saying he was looking forward to grade nine which for him was still three years away.
Elder June Chocan led the dedication and Windancer Waskewitch and the Prairie Thunder Boys performed the honour song. The school band entertained attendees and one of its vocalists, Aisle Alcobilla, accompanied on the keyboard set the proceedings alight with a rendition of ‘O Canada.’
