The Town of Carlyle has announced they're committing $2.5 million towards a new school in their community. The project is in collaboration with Southeast Cornerstone Public School Division after the town was chosen for a new school by the provincial government last year.
"I think everybody's excited for a new school. We've been on the list of new schools possible for many years, so for an actual announcement to come and, you know, plans to be in place for a new school, we just have an opportunity here to increase. For example, [upgrades to] the gym space so that we're able to host higher level sporting events, [since] we have a really strong sports community. So that's something that the community wants to see there," said Natalie Miller, the town's chief administrative officer.
Carlyle's School Community Council identified three key areas of enhancement they were looking for during the early planning stages of the project. They found that the gymnasium space, the practical and applied arts space, and the outdoor space need improvements in the new school.
In their press release, the town made it a point to outline fiscal responsibility for the project. Miller noted that plans for the school have been in the works for years and that the town's Council has prepared for it. "We've known that there was a new school coming for Carlyle for many years. It was on and off the list, so councils before have known that this was coming. [It's] always in the back of their mind when they were planning [that] at some point we would be contributing to the school. In the last few years, our reserves have done really well, like on our investments. We have the money earmarked for the school and are happy that we're able to contribute to their success."
Carlyle has two schools under SECPSD: Carlyle Elementary School and G.F. Kells High School. According to Miller, the ownership of the high school will be transferred back to the town to be repurposed as an events centre. The elementary school will be demolished, with the land being redeveloped for residential housing in the future.
"There's lots of excitement throughout the community, for sure. Now that we're at the design stage, they'll be fine-tuning the design and contractors will be awarded. Then in March of 2025, they're hoping to start breaking ground. Even just the excitement of knowing that it's that close -- you see it throughout the community. Everybody wants to participate and be a part of the new school. The school Community Council from both the elementary and the high school have done a great job of putting together a fundraising initiative and trying to encourage the community to participate and help us build the school for now and into the future," she added.
Miller emphasized the need for a new school. According to the most recent census data from Statistics Canada, there are over 1500 residents in the town. She noted that Carlyle is a growing community and that the new school will accommodate its growth in the future.
The estimated opening date for the new school is September 2027.