The Nova Scotia Government released its capital plan in late December with a primary focus on education which includes renovations to Dr. W.A. MacLeod School in Riverton to accommodate students from Highland Consolidated School in Westville.
Highland Consolidated was closed by Chignecto Central Regional School Board because of an odour and the students were transferred to Dr. W.A. MacLeod School in Riverton which was an elementary school. The school board has applied to the province for $3.5 million to renovate MacLeod School so that it can accommodate grades 7 and 8.
“We have to wait to see what the actual funding will be, but it is welcome news to have it listed in the capital plan,” said CCRSB communication manager Debbie Buott-Matheson.
Each government department was asked to submit their wish list for the upcoming fiscal year and projects are renewed and prioritized by government representatives. The education capital plan will invest $94.6 million, which includes building 10 new schools, renovating and improving 18 others, purchasing 70 new buses and reducing energy use in schools. The total capital plan will invest $535 million into communities.
"Our students need modern education facilities to prepare them to be tomorrow's entrepreneurs, innovators and skilled workers," Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Karen Casey said. "Under this plan, we are building and improving schools across the province and establishing four new skilled-trades centres to open that career path for students in those communities.
New Glasgow Academy, currently under construction, was also included on the education list. The concept of the new 47,700 square-foot school is meant to help students develop vital skills, including innovation, information, career, media, technology and life skills. The school will have a mix of traditional classrooms and 'break-out' spaces for students to work on projects collaboratively. The previous NDP government contributed $18 million for the school. The project is expected to be completed this year.
Funding for ongoing renovations at West Pictou Consolidated School have also been listed on the capital plan. About $3.9 million has been set aside for the West Pictou upgrades that started two years ago and included such items as a new boiler, gym floor, bathrooms and safer fire doors.
Renovations have also been done to the office and administrative area as well as the library, learning centre, the bus loop, paving of the parking lot and upgrading of the creative technology facilities have also been part of the work.
Capital projects specific to Pictou County include the Aberdeen Hospital’s emergency room and pharmacy renovations and ongoing construction of the Northeast Nova Scotia Correctional Centre.
The Aberdeen Hospital renovations are expected to improve patient traffic flow. The new overall design would be based on a linear flow, the second of its kind in Nova Scotia, which is expected to help with wait times in the emergency department. In 2012, the Pictou County Health Authority asked the province to approve $12.3 million while the municipalities are contributing 25 per cent of the cost of the project.
In November of 2010, the Department of Justice announced construction plans for a new 100-cell correctional facility in Priestville, Pictou County. The facility, with two beds per cell, is being built near Priestville, next to Highway 104, east of Thorburn highway Exit 26. Replacing the aging Antigonish and Cumberland facilities, the new facility will service the courthouses in Truro, Amherst, New Glasgow, Pictou, Antigonish, and, to some extent, Port Hawkesbury. The 200-bed correctional centre is on schedule to open in fall 2014.
As far as roadwork goes, very little paving will be done in Pictou County in upcoming year. The capital plan calls for 5.8 km of asphalt to be laid from the Colchester/Pictou County line to Louisville Road.
Although the government has yet to release its five-year highway plan, this was the only listing on the capital plan under transportation specific to Pictou County. Pictou East MLA Tim Houston said he would like to see more Pictou County roads improved in the upcoming year, but concern in his area right now is the service on the existing chip seal roads.
“They can’t be salted because they need to be sanded which means the roads in need of salt are done first,” he said. Houston said he would like to see Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal look at its scheduling when it comes to servicing all types of roads in the county or possibly purchase some new equipment that will help with servicing of the double chip seal roads. “We have to recognize that people in rural areas need to travel on roads safely,” he said. Houston said he was pleased to see MacLeod School on the list of capital projects as well as the Aberdeen Hospital’s emergency room renovations, but noted the absence of any new long-term nursing facilities. Glen Haven Manor in New Glasgow was one of four long-term homes up for replacement by the former NDP government in a pre-election announcement, but there is no mention of the manor or any other replacements of nursing homes in the Liberal’s capital plan. “We have to see some improvements to that facility,” Houston said. As finance critic for the Tory party, Houston said he understands the need for improved infrastructure such as new roads, schools and health care facilities, but the province’s debt is a concern with $800 million going toward debt-servicing costs. “But if we don't have good infrastructure, we risk future success,” he said. Pictou West MLA Karla MacFarlane agreed with Houston that the debt is a concern for all Nova Scotians and must be brought under control, but attention needs to be given to some areas of the county. She said she is anxious to see if the province’s five-year highway plan, to be released in January, will include the Cape John Road, which has been dubbed by an online contest as the worst in Atlantic Canada. MacFarlane said she is also concerned as to how plans for a new P-12 school being built in Tatamagouche will affect hopes of keeping River John Consolidated open in the future. River John Consolidated has undergone many school reviews in the past and is now waiting on the provincial government for information regarding a “hub concept” that will allow vacant space in the school to be used by businesses or community groups. Buott-Matheson said Tatamagouche school is slated to cover its catchment area, but she understands there is always a concern when a new school opens in an area where another is in jeopardy of closing.
