The Board of Education for South East Cornerstone Public School Division met yesterday afternoon for the public meeting. Part of the meeting included a presentation on the new elementary school building. The total amount the project costs is over $24 million. In the recent release of the provincial budget for 2018/19, $12.2 million has been set aside for the new school. The second half of the money is expected to be in the 2019/20 budget.

Christina Legris, Architect, Number TEN Architectural Group and LeeAnn Croft, Architect, Cite360 Studio gave the presentation to the school board on the design as the people who have been working on the project.

They explained how they have been researching new school builds in the province and took part in consultations with teachers. The City of Weyburn is planning a recreation and culture centre with a plan for it to be attached to the new elementary school.

"The school has an incredible neighbour of Jubilee Park. Having that connection was really important and we see that as a big design driver. To have it open, inviting accessible really capitalizing on that site was important. and reflecting nature and natural materials have really become a jumping off point for the design," explained Croft.

There are going to be two floors with the Pre-school and Grades K-3 on the main floor and Grades 4-6 in the upstairs classroom. Security plays into the design with the school administration area in the main entrance area with all the other doors to the outside to be locked at 9 am. Nobody will be able to get to the classrooms without getting pass the Administration offices.

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Main Floor Plan design, photo submitted by Andy Dobson

The plan is for the City of Weyburn's Recreational and Culture Centre to be attached on one side with some of the facilities to be shared.

“The most exciting and challenging piece for me is the concept of a truly 21st-century learning design which will be new to South East Cornerstone to this extent, with wide open spaces and learning opportunities inside and outside the classrooms. The students and staff will enjoy an abundance of natural light within a climate controlled environment that is conducive to a positive learning. Board member, Elwood White even stated that it would be nice to be a student again in that type of school” explained Andy Dobson, Manager of Facilities & Transportation.

The powerpoint we saw today didn't even do it justice."

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Second Floor Plan photo submitted by Andy Dobson.

The plan is for construction to start October 2018.

"We are really going to stick to that. We want that school open September 2020. There's no reason why we shouldn't be able to do it. It is a brand new school on a brand new site."

"We should be able to construct it in 20 months."

Dobson added they intend to have the demolition for the junior high to be finished over the summer so that the construction of the new building can be started without delays in the Fall.