The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division has been given the go ahead to add an expansion to Arthur Pechey Public School. (File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Michael Joel-Hansen

Education and childcare

School division happy to get approval from city council for expansion

Apr 29, 2020 | 1:00 PM

The Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division (SRPSD) is happy to be moving forward with an expansion for École Arthur Pechey Public School.

(SRPSD) superintendent Cory Trann said allowing the school to expand is good news for the community and for families.

“It’s a real good win-win situation,” he said.

Monday, Prince Albert City Council voted unanimously in favour of allowing the division to build an extension on to the current building. It will house a daycare and provide space for pre-school programming.

The expansion will allow the school to offer 20 pre-school spaces and 26 childcare spaces. The school will also have eight new staff members brought in to support the programming. The initiative will be delivered through a partnership between the school division and Blooms and Buds Child Care.

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Trann explained the opportunity to add the childcare and pre-school spaces came about when the provincial ministry of education identified the area around Arthur Pechey as being in need of those specific services.

By adding these facilities, Arthur Pechey is moving into line with many of the newer schools built in Saskatchewan, as having childcare in the buildings is a priority. Trann said the division is welcoming of the chance to do a project like this.

“When we have a chance to build on or connect [childcare] to a school, it’s a great opportunity,” he said.

The school superintendent said they are hoping to have the doors to the addition open in time for the start of the coming school year. He added the division is optimistic the work will be finished up by the end of August.

In regards to covering the costs of the expansion, the province and division will split the expenses. In terms of whether other schools in the division will see similar projects, Trann said this depends on available funds and where the biggest needs are.

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MichaelJoel.Hansen@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @mjhskcdn