The new elementary school, expected to cost $24 million, was discussed in last weeks South East Cornerstone Public School Division Board Meeting. Andy Dobson, Manager of Facilities and Transportation, gave a presentation to the board on how the process is going.

"The new Weyburn pre K-6 elementary school was approved last year by the provincial government for design development only so that's what we've been doing. We've put a design team together and we are working on the design. We are just finishing the schematic design. Our local planning committee, it's comprised of the principals of the three schools that will be closing, our Superintendent and some division based consultants. We went and actually viewed some new schools in White City and Regina. Had a lot of good ideas on what worked and doesn't work," explained Dobson.

"We want to go with a 21st-century learning design. Maybe not the kind of wide open spaces that some of the Regina schools are but more of a hybrid of it. It will be a two storey school. 7,483 square metres with an opening enrollment of 650 students."

Dobson added by saying the core of the building will be built to accommodate 750 students by having four relocatable's which can be attached to the school for future expansion.

The transportation hub will be on the site which is going to be on 5th Street where the old Junior High School is currently located.

The plans include a 540 Square Metre gymnasium, a 51 seat capacity child care space attached to the school as well as a 7900 square metre culture centre, in partnership with the City of Weyburn.

Dobson said everything has been going fairly smoothly.

"It's been a lot of work and lots of meetings but we are hoping to have the pain at the front here and everything will be a lot smoother when we get into construction and finishing the project."

The Design Development Report will be provided to the Ministry of Education and then the architects will begin creating the drawings. The next stage is when they go to the Tender Submission Request stage and actual construction. If things stay on track the new school will be completed by December 2020.

"It's fairly aggressive but until we get that approval, that next approval by the Ministry and the provincial government that's kind of where we are at."

Dobson said the entire team are ready to go and with a quiet economy they are likely to receive competitive tender submissions from construction companies. The provincial Budget is set to be announced April 10th.