Penn-Co to build French-language school

Winnipeg’s Sage Creek neighbourhood is gaining a French-language kindergarten to Grade 8 school. The Division scolaire franco-manitobaine facility, which will include the school as well as a preschool, will be built by Penn-Co Construction.

“The new school will help meet current enrolment needs and future growth in the Sage Creek neighbourhood,” said Consumer Protection and Government Services Minister James Teitsma. “This will make a real difference for children in the community, ensuring they have access to a high-quality education in French close to home.”

The more than $47-million school will have an initial capacity of 450 students with an ability to expand by 100 students in the future. When it opens, it will have space for two cohorts of kindergarten to Grade 8 students, plus a 74-space infant and preschool childcare facility.

“This new school highlights our commitment to French-language education in our province and to making sure Manitoba families have access to a high-quality education,” said Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister, Wayne Ewasko. “The school and childcare facility will be a real hub for the community and will make it easier for students to get the education and care they need to be successful in the years to come.”

The school will include 18 classrooms, a gymnasium, multi-purpose space, a life-skills suite and a resource and guidance suite.

“Building francophone schools is crucial to blooming francophone communities, especially in a minority setting. It is important to remember that French education is not an expenditure but an investment,” said Bernard Lesage, board chair, Division scolaire franco-manitobaine. “Sage Creek is growing, and parents want to be part of the equation in getting a francophone neighbourhood school.”

Construction on the school is expected to begin by the fall.

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