Returning students to Innisfail's schools will see the completed multi-million dollar modernization of their surroundings first-hand.
Each of the three schools, Ecole John Wilson Elementary School, Ecole Innisfail Middle School and Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School now include elements of the modernization project ready for students' use in the 2014-15 school year.
“Starting from John Wilson, we have completed the office renovations, and the second-storey pedway is now ready for use,” said Allan Tarnoczi, associate superintendent of corporate services for Chinook's Edge School Division. “When students use the pedway it won't feel like you're in a different building. From the outside, it looks like you are, but in the process it creates a campus feel to the entire kindergarten to Grade 12 complex.”
Moving through the pedway, and down one flight of stairs, the now finished school library serves as the hub for all public school students in all three schools.
“Last year, when we started the modernization, the middle school library upgrade was an important part of the project,” said Tarnoczi. “This year, it is complete and the shelves are filled up. With children from elementary to senior high using the same facility, it will create a natural mentorship and enhance the school community.”
Tarnoczi spoke glowingly about the new gymnasium and the fact that it contains two full size basketball/volleyball courts with high ceilings and has room for bleachers as well.
“We have one more coat of varnish to go but it will soon be ready to go for the athletes throughout the school,” said Tarnoczi. “This will be an integral part of the athletic program.”
The school division administrator noted that while the project is only partially complete, two years from now it will be an amazing complex where students can spend their entire academic career from kindergarten to Grade 12 in one seamless, interconnected complex.
The project has an estimated budget of $7 million.
