Steinbach MLA and Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced that students and families in St. Norbert will soon benefit from a major renovation and addition project at École Noël Ritchot.
“This expansion and renovation will provide French-speaking students in St. Norbert with a refreshed learning space that will support engagement and achievement,” said Goertzen. “We look forward to working with La Division scolaire franco-manitobaine on this project, which will enhance the futures of the next generation of Franco-Manitobans.”
The expansion will add nearly 30,000 square feet to the school and almost 6,000 square feet of the existing structure will be renovated. Eight new classrooms, a new gymnasium and a new child-care centre for 74 infant and pre-school aged children will be created.
The minister noted the old gym will be renovated as a multi-purpose room and music room. Existing spaces will be renovated to become a grooming room and resource teaching area, and the school will have a new bus loop and parking lot. New, larger windows will provide more natural light within the school.
“This is a great day for the Noël-Ritchot school community, which is being rewarded for its’ efforts,” said Bernard Lesage, chair, La Commission scolaire franco-manitobaine. “We thank the province for this support, and look forward to getting started on this long-awaited project.”
École Noël Ritchot is a kindergarten to Grade 8 school with enough room for 250 students. The upcoming renovation and addition will enable the school to accommodate an additional 200 students, creating enough capacity to address enrolment needs for the next seven to 10 years.
The minister noted the project is in the final stages of design and is expected to go to tender early next year. Project costs are expected to exceed $16 million, which includes a $1.99-million contribution from Heritage Canada toward the new child-care centre, early childhood and family centre and ancillary spaces, he added.
