New kindergarten to Grade 8 school in southeast Brandon to open September 2020

BRANDON—Premier Brian Pallister unveiled more details about the new kindergarten to Grade 8 school in southeast Brandon at a visit to the new school site today at Maryland Avenue and Ninth Street.

“We have known for years that Brandon needs a new school to accommodate the tremendous growth that has happened here over the past 20 years,” said Pallister.  “Our goal since day one has been to catch up with the need for new schools and deliver quality new learning environments for students and educators at the best possible price.”

The new 65,660-sq.-ft. English school will be constructed for 450 students with ability to expand to a capacity of 675 students, and will include:

• a child-care centre for 20 infants and 54 preschool children;
• 40 nursery school spaces;
• 14 regular classrooms and kindergarten rooms, and dedicated art, band and science rooms;
• a science, technology, electronics and math (STEM) lab;
• life-skills and resource teaching and guidance suites, and an English as an additional language room;
• library and gymnasium;
• a home-economics lab; and
• an industrial arts (manufacturing / construction) shop.

The new school is currently being designed and a tender for construction will be issued in November, the premier said.  Construction is expected to be completed for the beginning of the school year in September 2020, he added.

“The board of trustees is delighted that the province made the decision to invest in a new school in Brandon, and we are so pleased that the planning process is moving forward quickly,” said Dr. Linda Ross, board chair, Brandon School Division.  “I would like to acknowledge the efforts of Brandon’s MLAs Reg Helwer and Len Isleifson, as well as those of city council, and the Brandon community at large in advocating for this much needed new educational facility.  Pressures on capacity in K–8 schools across Brandon will be alleviated, and students living in this area of Brandon South will have the community school they deserve.  This is an occasion worth celebrating!”

In 2017, the province announced plans to build six new schools:

• English kindergarten to Grade 8 in southeast Brandon (Brandon School Division);
• Dual-track kindergarten to Grade 5 in Precinct ‘E’ (Seven Oaks School Division);
• Dual-track kindergarten to Grade 8 in Waterford Green (Winnipeg School Division);
• English grades 9 to 12 in Waverley West (Pembina Trails School Division);
• English grades 9 to 12 in Niverville (Hanover School Division); and
• English kindergarten to Grade 8 in Winkler (Garden Valley School Division).

In the 2018-19 budget, the province was able to identify at least $18 million in savings that would enable the construction of an additional school, a kindergarten to Grade 8 English school in Waverley West (Pembina Trails School Division).

“We’re pleased to move forward with this historic investment, which will support a stronger education system here in Brandon for years to come,” said Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart.  “The additional school in Waverley West is a direct result of our commitment to shop smarter on behalf of Manitoba taxpayers.”

The minister confirmed the province is proceeding with construction of these seven new schools, which will create capacity for 4,425 students and 540 child-care spaces.  Earlier this month, the province initiated the design phase for the Brandon, Seven Oaks and Winnipeg school division projects when it selected prime consultants through a competitive process.  The two new schools in Pembina Trails (Waverley West) will proceed to design early in 2019.