Steinbach MLA and Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced that the Manitoba government is investing more than $54 million in 83 infrastructure renewal projects at schools across the province.

“These significant investments support the health and safety of students and staff, and have a positive impact on their success at school,” said Goertzen. “These necessary infrastructure upgrades focus on roofing and mechanical systems, as well as projects that make our schools more inclusive and accessible to all students so they can receive a quality education.”

The province is spending:

  • $14.3 million on roof replacements in the Division scolaire franco-manitobaine (DSFM) and Turtle Mountain, Seine River, Seven Oaks, Pembina Trails, Winnipeg, Western, Interlake, Hanover, St. James-Assiniboia, Parkwest, Brandon, Flin Flon, Portage la Prairie, Garden Valley, Louis Riel, River East Transcona and Lord Selkirk school divisions;
  • $16.3 million on mechanical systems replacements in DSFM and Garden Valley, Winnipeg, Seven Oaks, Hanover, Parkwest, Louis Riel, River East Transcona, Sunrise, Turtle Mountain, St. James-Assiniboia, Brandon, Pembina Trails, and Interlake school divisions;
  • $13.3 million on structural upgrades in DSFM and Interlake, Mystery Lake School District, Lord Selkirk, Pembina Trails, Seven Oaks, Winnipeg, St. James-Assiniboia, Southwest Horizon, Frontier, Portage la Prairie, Seine River and Turtle Mountain school divisions; and
  • $10.5 million on access projects in the Portage la Prairie, River East Transcona, Seven Oaks, Brandon, Rolling River, Winnipeg, St. James-Assiniboia, Pembina Trails, Louis Riel and Hanover school divisions. Projects include new elevators, lifts and link additions between building wings that create universal access.

The minister noted construction is underway or completed on many of the projects, with a goal to complete all projects by the end of 2020. The Manitoba government is spending more than $129.5 million on planned public school infrastructure capital projects in 2018-19.