Weeks after his government began massive upgrades to Frontier Collegiate, Premier Greg Selinger was in Cranberry Portage on Monday to celebrate the project.
The $23-million undertaking includes a 57,000-sq.-ft. campus expansion and a new power mechanic shop for the high school.
“Our investments in education are building more schools, hiring more teachers and increasing opportunities for students to get the skills they need to build their future here in our great province,” said Selinger.
The funding will build a new 200-bed dormitory facility for Frontier students, who come to Cranberry Portage from reserves across northern Manitoba.
This will increase the high school’s capacity to about 300 students. Over 200 students from about 20 communities currently live in the dorms and attend Frontier.
The new power mechanic shop – complete with four bays and teaching spaces – will replace a smaller existing facility.
Ray Derksen, chief superintendent of Frontier School Division, welcomed the historic investment.
“Frontier Collegiate Institute has been providing quality educational opportunities for students in over 30 communities in northern Manitoba for almost 50 years,” said Derksen. “We’re extremely pleased the Manitoba government is investing in our school, so we can continue to uphold and expand this proud tradition.”
Praise also came from Grand Chief David Harper of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, which represents most northern Manitoba First Nations.
“Investments in education and training are the key to advancing First Nation participation in northern economic growth,” he said. “The practice of ensuring that northern residents are adequately trained and hired provides opportunity for our community members and promotes self-sufficiency for First Nation communities.”
The upgrades are expected to be completed by the end of March 2014.
The project was announced in the NDP government’s Throne Speech last month, but had been rumoured for many weeks prior.
Work underway last month on an expansion of Frontier Collegiate in Cranberry Portage.
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