Many people might not think of this being a "downtown" story, but since the school in question falls within the confines of Wheeler Blvd, by default this is the neighbourhood section in which to post this article........
from CBC
Bessborough School in Moncton needs to be replaced, says report
Study shows an upgrade would be around 70 per cent of what a new building would cost
By Philip Drost, CBC News Posted: Oct 21, 2016 2:59 PM AT
Last Updated: Oct 21, 2016 2:59 PM AT
A report on the condition of Bessborough School is raising the possibility of a new replacement school in Moncton's west end.
A midlife assessment of the school during the summer indicated an upgrade would cost roughly 70 per cent of what a new building would cost.
District education council member Norval McConnell said that means the school is unlikely to get an upgrade, so thoughts have turned to the idea of building a new school.
McConnell represents both Bessborough and Hillcrest schools on the district council, which just received the report from the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure this week.
"They wouldn't recommend it for a midlife upgrade, essentially that they wanted the school to be replaced," said McConnell.
"Their rationale with that is they have a criteria that's in place that if it's going to cost above 70 per cent of the replacement cost that they should basically build a new school because the difference is insignificant."
McConnell said they've already been looking at land around the area. The challenge is finding a piece of land big enough.
He said they want to keep the school in the west end, so it remains a west end school. He would also like to see it remain as a school that operates from kindergarten to Grade 8.
full story:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-br...ends-1.3815192
On CBC Radio this morning, Norval McConnell was speculating on using vacant land in the old Franklin Yard subdivision, on Millennium Blvd between the CN Sportplex and Centennial Park. There is very little free land available in the new west end for a building project as large as a new school, and the Franklin Yard would be perfect, being central to nearby recreational facilities and not too far from the west end neighbourhoods. The biggest problem with this location would be the fact that walking students would have to cross St George Blvd to get to and from school, but I can't see any options south of St George that could be used. If not the Franklin Yards, the new school might have to be built out on the Salisbury Road, which would only replicate the Moncton High School fiasco.......