Full photo gallery - School groundbreaking ceremony
The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on Monday, October 19 for the new elementary school to be located in Cramahe Township.
Most of the area dignitaries were on hand in Castleton to share the event with selected students, board officials and the public.
Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board Chair, Diane Lloyd, echoed the thoughts of many when she commented that she was glad that finally there was a shovel in the ground. She added her wish that the school turns out the way people hope.
Area Trustee Cyndi Dickson was pleased to join what she called "a two-community celebration", alluding to the fact that two school communities were being amalgamated into the new school. She went on to express her expectation that the new school will enrich the learning opportunities of the students and leave the past disappointments behind.
Northumberland-Quinte West MPP, Lou Rinaldi acknowledged it hadn't been an easy process to get to this point, and reiterated the opportunities that await. "We all want the best for our kids. This is about our children and our future."
Cramahe Mayor, Marc Coombs was the last to speak at the outdoor ceremony. He told the audience he had been thinking of the generations who had fought to keep the school open. He stressed the importance of a rural education, and congratulated the people in the community for working to keep a school in the township.
The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board (KPRDSB) first approved the consolidation of South Cramahe Public School and Castleton Public School in June, 2008. The board awarded the contract on August 27, 2009 to build the new school which is scheduled to open in September, 2010. The $6,790,000 contract came in significantly higher than the estimated cost of $4.8 million.
The school will be 35,050 square feet and will accommodate up to 319 students in four kindergartens and 11 other classrooms. There will be one vocal music room and two science rooms.
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