Watch above: The Liberal Government will invest 32 million to modernize and upgrade three major New Brunswick high schools over the next three to four years. Laura Brown reports.
FREDERICTON – The New Brunswick government is investing $5.3 million to upgrade and renovate three ailing high schools.
Polyvalente W.-A.-Losier in Tracadie, Harrison Trimble High School in Moncton and Fredericton High School will see significant upgrades through the province’s new Mid-Life Upgrade project.
The upgrades aim to extend the lifespan of the schools by 30 years or more. Fredericton High will see $2 million this fiscal year, which will be put toward fixing the school’s leakage problems and making it more accessible for students.
“They are trying to address some of those initial issues that are a grave concern for us,” said FHS principal Shane Thomas.
The province plans to spend $14 million on FHS by 2019. Replacing the school, which has an enrollment of 1,900 students, would cost the province $75 million.
“I don’t think there’s $75 million sitting around in the New Brunswick budget so I’m quite happy with the upgrades. This is a facility I don’t think you can replace,” Thomas said.
The project will allow school districts to apply for the funding and identify particular schools that need to be upgraded and modernized.
The funding is being offered as the province has put several other schools up for closure.
READ MORE: Education councils vote to close 3 N.B. schools, consolidate 2 others
“We want to make sure schools are safe,” said Deputy Premier Stephen Horsman.
“We have a declining enrollment, so we have to look at that as a government. We know it’s not sustainable to keep schools open in every little corner of our province.”
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