An earlier rendering of the new Rosthern Community School (Facebook/Prairie Spirit School Division)

By Glenn Hicks

new school

New Rosthern school unveiled

Aug 25, 2020 | 5:56 PM

No one could have foreseen it when construction first started, but the new Rosthern Community School south of Prince Albert will welcome 400 prekindergarten to Grade 12 students in the middle of a global pandemic.

The $26.5 million replacement of the previous elementary and high schools – which were built over 50 years ago – was unveiled Tuesday ahead of the Sept. 8 opening.

The school’s principal Mitch Luiten said the latest return to class plans will be released Wednesday, in line with the majority of the province, but added it was helpful all the students and staff would be learning COVID-19 social distancing protocols and health measures in a new building.

“I think because we’re all going into a new school, we’re learning the school anyway,” he told reporters. “So, the students aren’t used to routines in this school yet, they’re not used to being in this building so we’re able to start fresh and provide the guidelines on how we want things to work during COVID.”

Luiten added the new building had plenty of space for students and staff to practice social distancing and even had some modern gadgets to help further in the efforts to combat the transmission of the virus.

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“We have automatic water bottle fillers that don’t require touch, we have touchless water and soap dispensers for the bathrooms, so there’s definitely lots of elements already in place that make it easier,” he explained.

According to a government media release, the new Prairie School Division facility is designed for 400 students, and offers a wide variety of educational and community benefits including classrooms and offices with state-of-the-art technology. It will include an arts and cultural space which allows for the practice of smudging, a resource centre and outdoor learning spaces to enhance the learning of all students, one full-size and one separate smaller gymnasium, and welcoming common areas that will be home to Rosthern’s many community events.

The school is also home to a new childcare facility with room for 30 children, resulting in early learning, elementary and secondary education all under one roof. This provides young families the opportunity to continue pursuing their education, job training or career opportunities, the media release stated.

“Rosthern School will serve our students, school staff and community members as a hub for community development and activities,” Premier Scott Moe said. “I could not be more proud of the work that has gone into this project to get us here today.”

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow