Premier Greg Selinger Officially Announces the Construction of Amber Trails a New School for Northwest Winnipeg

May 31, 2013

BUDGET 2013: BUILDING, IMPROVING MANITOBA SCHOOLS: PREMIER

– – –
Construction to Begin on Amber Trails Kindergarten to Grade 8 School to Serve Families in Northwest Winnipeg

Construction is now underway on Amber Trails, a kindergarten to Grade 8 school that will serve families in the northwest area of Winnipeg, Premier Greg Selinger announced today.
“In a little over a year’s time, there will be a modern, environmentally friendly school that will enhance the quality of learning for students living in the Amber Trails neighbourhood,” said Selinger.  “Northwest Winnipeg is a vibrant community, attracting new housing developments and a growing number of families each year.  This new school will not only provide students with a quality education but will bring families together as a gathering place for community events.”
As a result of funding in Budget 2013 and from the Manitoba Building and Renewal Plan, construction has begun and is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2015. 
The 85,000-square-foot Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Standard school will respond to enrolment growth in northwest Winnipeg, the premier said, adding Amber Trails School will include a child-care centre that will provide a warm and caring environment for 64 infant and preschool students, 40 spaces for kindergarten/nursery, and before- and after-school students.
The premier said students attending the school will come from new housing developments in Amber Trails, West St. Paul and the Maples.
Amber Trails School will initially accommodate 625 students and could expand to have space for 800 students if needed in the future, he said.  Enrolment in Seven Oaks has increased by approximately 2,000 students since 2007.
“We are very excited for construction to begin,” said Edward Ploszay, chair, board of trustees, Seven Oaks School Division.  “This new school will help to alleviate overcrowding at four schools in the Maples area and will provide much needed daycare spaces, which is welcome news for families in this area.”
Since 1999, the Manitoba government has invested more than $845 million in public school capital projects including 18 new schools and 13 replacement schools, and has completed extensive renovations and additions to dozens of existing schools.

- 30 -