There have been considerable renovations at Elliot Lake’s Our Lady of Lourdes French Immersion school to start the school year with in-class learning.
The school, operated by the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board, has seen renovations both inside and out.
School Vice Principal Nadia Zanatta said the renovations include the creation of a new Kindergarten room joined together and fully equipped with washroom facilities and a water bottle filling station. There is also a fenced-in playground with a rubberized track and two shade shelters to provide a beautiful and innovative space for students to play outside while maintaining student safety.
Two new water bottle filling stations have been installed in the school - as well as the one designated for Kindergarten students.
The exterior now includes a new bus bay created along Mississauga Avenue - along with a new staff and visitor parking lot coupled with a designated pick up and drop off location constructed at the front entrance of the school.
“Exciting things are happening at Our Lady of Lourdes French Immersion,” said Zanatta. “It is so awesome to have the kids back and excited for the upcoming school year. They are loving all of the new changes and what is still to come.”
Board communications officer Jim Fitzgerald said the total costs for renovations to the school is $2.2 million
“Included in this amount is a complete renovation of two full-day kindergarten classrooms which includes HVAC, LED lighting, dedicated shared washroom area for the two rooms, millwork, flooring, new ceilings, storage area, painting, exterior play area including rubberized play surface, shade structures, and fencing,” he said. “The project also includes a new HVAC system for each classroom, a new bus bay, staff parking ($693,500), student drop-off and pick-up area, and barrier-free parking. We are still awaiting delivery of HVAC units. In the interim, air purifiers have been provided to the school for all areas that require them.”
The school roof was replaced last year at a cost of $500,000.
“With all of these many changes occurring within our school, it is fitting that this year’s Huron Superior Catholic District School Board’s Catholic Education theme is “Rebuild, Restore and Renew Together,” said Principal Stéphane Prévost. “As many of these visible changes are happening to the building, the Our Lady of Lourdes staff and learning community are planning and anticipating exciting educational opportunities for this coming school year. We would like to welcome all of our returning students and families to this fresh start into this year and openly invite others to join our school family.”
“Building a partnership with Claire Dimock Children’s Centre is something that I am very excited about! Providing this service to our families and local community is integral to the continued growth and promotion of our school,” Zanatta added.
The first upcoming major event is the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board’s East District Softball Tournament on Sept. 22 which will include teams from Blind River, Elliot Lake, Massey, and Espanola.