A new school in Port Edward took one step closer to becoming reality earlier this week as Port Edward council and the Prince Rupert School District reached an agreement on a long-term lease for the new Port Edward Community School.
The agreement comes following the passing of a referendum that allows the District of Port Edward to borrow up to $2 million to construct a three-classroom school with a library, administration offices and facilities attached to the current municipal office and community hall building. Port Edward mayor Dave MacDonald says the agreement is a major milestone in moving the project forward.
“This agreement with the School District allows us to guarantee education service to our young families. As the planned growth on Ridley islan starts and new jobs are created, it is important that we remain an attractive option for newcomers to locate their families. By being able to provide education within our town site, I think we achieved that,” he said.
“The School District and the District of Port Edward are committed to keeping education in our town and I am happy to announce that the agreement we have reached will allow us to do that for the forseeable future.”
With the funding in place and an agreement on a long term lease reached, Bonni Maddison architects will continue planning for construction, with the goal being having the school complete next summer and ready for the first day of classes in 2012.