Steinbach MLA, Kelvin Goertzen, said he is pleased that the region’s growth and bursting schools has been recognized with the announcement that new middle schools will open in Steinbach and La Broquerie by 2011 and a new high school in Steinbach by 2012.
“From all the conversations and correspondence I have had with the provincial Minister of Education I was optimistic that the announcement would include a new high school for the region along with the middle school,” said Goertzen. “However, until the announcement is actually made you are always a little uncertain.”
While there are other capital needs for schools in the region, Goertzen said these two commitments are very significant.
“It was a good day for students and parents in the region. The growth of our communities has meant there is a desperate shortage of classroom space. These announcements are a very good step in addressing space shortages,” said Goertzen.
Goertzen has had several meetings with the Minister of Education over the past year to discuss the critical shortage of classroom space in the region and he noted that the efforts of the community and especially the Hanover School Division paid off.
“Sometimes it feels you have to shout twice as loud and twice as long as should be necessary to get the attention of the provincial government to address growth needs in southern Manitoba. This time it appears the collective voice of the community was heard,” said Goertzen.
Goertzen said he spoke immediately after the announcement with Manitoba Education Minister Peter Bjornson about the possibility of moving up the completion dates of the schools. He was pleased by the commitment of the Minister to do everything he could to get the schools open as soon as possible.
