Learning spaces for Manitoba’s francophone community are lacking, specifically in northeast Winnipeg. In response, the province has recently purchased The King’s School to increase capacity for French-language education—an innovative approach to completing the provincial government’s 20 New Schools Guarantee.
The facility will be expanded and renovated over time to become a school for Division Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine (DSFM), which will use it for about 350 students from kindergarten to Grade 8.
“With its planned improvements, the school building will fill a high demand for French-language education in northeast Winnipeg,” said Education Minister Kelvin Goertzen.
The purchase of The King’s School and its upcoming expansion and renovations for DSFM will cost the province approximately $13.5 million, which is about $8.7 million less than it would cost to construct a new school, Goertzen noted.
The King’s School was owned by Gateway Christian Community Inc. before the purchase. During the transition period, the province and DSFM have agreed to allow existing classes to continue at The King’s School until construction of a new facility for Gateway Christian Community Inc. in West St. Paul is complete. At the same time, DSFM will establish school programming in northeast Winnipeg.
“The school in northeast Winnipeg marks an important step forward in creating new learning spaces for our francophone communities,” said Bernard Lesage, president, Commission Scolaire Franco-Manitobaine. “The newly acquired school will allow us to better welcome our current and future students so we can continue to provide them with a quality French-language education in their neighbourhood.”
The temporary joint use of The King’s School will require minor renovations to the facility during the summer of 2020 and an installation of four temporary modular classrooms for use by its students until June 30, 2022, when DSFM will fully take over the space.
“This is a great arrangement that will see Gateway Christian Community Inc. and The King’s School continue to offer educational, community and faith-based programming at the site for the duration of the shared-use agreement,” said Goertzen. “DSFM will recruit students to its newly acquired school, initially focusing on kindergarten and Grade 1 this fall.”
The province is working toward the construction of 20 new schools within the next 10 years across Manitoba. This commitment comes with a heightened investment in school construction and will give more students from kindergarten to Grade 12 the opportunity to learn at the best possible facilities, the minister noted.
