May 9, 2023
Manitoba Government Encourages Public to Attend Community Open House About Plans for New High School in Northwest Winnipeg
The Manitoba government and Winnipeg School Division are encouraging the public to attend a community open house about a new high school in northwest Winnipeg on May 30 to learn about design details and construction plans, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko and Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister James Teitsma announced today.
“Our government is committed to ensuring all Manitoba students have equitable access to high-quality education including opportunities to expand their science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics skills,” said Ewasko. “Student enrolment in the northwest part of Winnipeg School Division continues to increase, and we are working proactively to expand and enhance the education options across the division and elsewhere in Manitoba. We invite the public to attend this community open house to learn more about our exciting plans for the school.”
The high school that is still to be named will be located at the corner of King Edward Street and Commercial Avenue. The dual-track French immersion Grade 9 to 12 school is currently under design and is expected to accommodate 1,200 students.
The community open house will take place at the nearby École Waterford Springs School at 2090 Jefferson Ave. on May 30 with a presentation at 6 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend to learn more about the project including design details, proposed layouts and tentative construction plans.
“We are proud to continue supporting capital projects that benefit Manitobans and advance our province’s prosperity,” said Teitsma. “I am confident that this new high school will meet the anticipated enrolment needs in the community and Winnipeg School Division.”
The ministers noted the new three-storey, 170,000-sq.-ft. school will consist of classroom wings featuring:
- modern science labs for physics, chemistry and biology;
- STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) classrooms;
- a home economics room;
- an art room;
- computer classrooms;
- a library and common area;
- a large gymnasium and fitness room;
- a multi-purpose room; and
- spaces for band, choir, drama and dance.
The school will also be home to student support areas such as guidance and life skills suites. As part of the project, there will be vocational spaces for:
- culinary arts;
- foods and nutrition;
- graphic communications;
- a manufacturing and construction lab for woodworking;
- environmental design, plumbing and pipe trades; and
- drafting and design technology.
“The board is extremely pleased on behalf of our families living in the area of École Waterford Springs School. The addition of a new French immersion high school has been highly anticipated because of the large population growth in that area,” said Betty Edel, chair, Winnipeg School Division. “We look forward to engaging the community on the plans for the school site.”
As part of the Manitoba government’s ongoing commitment to expand access to inclusive, affordable child care for Manitoba families, the project also includes the construction of a new 74-space child-care centre, added Ewasko.
“Child-care centres located in our schools give parents accessible, conveniently-located early-learning programming that meets their family’s needs,” said Ewasko. “Our government is proud to continue supporting child-care centre development projects that ensure Manitoba children have access to high-quality, safe care that supports their physical, emotional and social needs.”
Currently, 66 per cent of the design process has been completed and the project, which is expected to go to tender by November 2023. The new school was announced in April 2022 as part of the Manitoba government’s guarantee to build 20 new schools in 10 years.
To learn more about the open house, visit https://www.winnipegsd.ca/.
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