CJS turns sod on new updates

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This article was published 26/06/2018 (2839 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Collège Jeanne-Sauvé is preparing for future generations.   

On June 21, the southeast Winnipeg-based school, which is located at 1128 Dakota St., hosted a sod-turning and land blessing as the Louis Riel School Division embarks on infrastructure updates that are intended to address the rapid growth of the community’s French immersion enrolment.

According to a news release, the $2.5-million investment at the St. Vital-based school is being funded through a partnership between the school division and the City of Winnipeg, and will be the first part of a multi-phased project that will enable the school and community to grow along with the student population. Officials say $500,000 of the funding for this first phase of the project will be coming from Coun. Brian Mayes and the City, with the remainder coming from the LRSD school board.

In light of the announcement, Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) told The Lance the news represents “an investment in students, in learning and, ultimately, in Winnipeg.”

“The City is the junior partner on this project. I want to commend the LRSD trustees for having the courage to go ahead with this project. They did not wait around and blame the Province, they took action — and I am very proud that I was able to get council to approve $500,000 in City funds to help with the community theatre component,” Mayes said.

Among the initial updates at the school are a new student/community commons and performance area with an expanded cafeteria, kitchen and stage; a new entrance and foyer area; a renovated general office; and a renovated classroom specifically for the performing arts. The commons area will be made available for community use in the evenings and other occasions.

In the same release, the board’s vice-chair Sandy Nemeth said one third of the division’s students are enrolled in French immersion.

“That number is expected to reach up to 40 per cent in the near future, which is fantastic but also means we want to be ready to accommodate that growth and provide our students with the best possible environment in which to learn and interact,” Nemeth said.

Go online at www.lrsd.net for more information.