(Submitted Photo/Darcy Ahenakew)

By larongeNOW staff

New school in La Loche

New school build starts in La Loche

Feb 3, 2023 | 1:46 PM

Almost 500 elementary students in La Loche will have a new place to learn with the start of the construction of a new school.

The Government of Saskatchewan said that the building will cost about $30 million to build, but the Northern Lights School Division has put in extra money to increase the size of the gym.

“This new elementary school will be able to serve not only the students and families of La Loche but also the broader community for generations to come,” said Education Minister Dustin Duncan.

The school will include 475 children from pre-kindergarten to grade six and will be 5,548 square meters.

(Submitted photo/Darcy Ahenakew)

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The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $30 million in the construction of the school, while the Northern Lights School Division is contributing additional funds to increase the size of the gymnasium so that it can be used by both the school and the community.

The school division paid to increase the size of the gymnasium to help make it a community place and not just a school.

It will replace the existing Ducharme Elementary School, which is almost 50 years old and include local Indigenous cultural elements and have 26 classrooms and a kitchen for student meal programs.

“The board of trustees is thrilled that the province made the decision to invest in a new elementary school in La Loche, and we are so pleased that the process is moving forward,” Northern Lights School Division Board Chair Richard Petit said.

The new school will be located next to Dene High School in La Loche and construction is expected to be complete in the spring of 2025. Saskatoon-based Wright Construction Western Inc. is leading the construction of the project.

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