Steinbach MLA and Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced that students and families in La Salle and the surrounding communities are now benefiting from an $11-million addition and renovation at La Salle School that includes a new stand-alone child-care centre.
“This investment will help the Seine River School Division accommodate growing enrolment in La Salle and surrounding communities,” said Goertzen. “The health and safety of students and educators is a priority for the Manitoba government, and this modern, well-designed facility will improve outcomes for students in the region.”
The minister noted the project included a 15,800-sq.-ft. addition to the school including six regular classrooms and a new 5,300-sq.-ft. gymnasium.
The former gym has been renovated to become a library and kindergarten room, while the former undersized library has been renovated to turn it into a life-skills suite. A new 40-seat, 3,600-sq.- ft. child-care centre is located at the school site, adjacent to the school building.
“We are very appreciative of the support of the province in assisting us in enhancing the learning environment of the school,” said Michael Borgfjord, superintendent of the Seine River School Division. “Students and staff will benefit for many years to come, and the new space is conducive to critical thinking and innovative thinking.”
Enrolment at La Salle School has been on the rise due to new housing and subdivision developments. The kindergarten to Grade 8 English school had a September 2019 enrolment of 349 students, exceeding its former capacity of 325.
The minister noted the addition has increased the school’s capacity to 450 students.
The project meets the Manitoba Green Building Policy and will qualify for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver and Manitoba Power Smart designations.
