Dancer Lyric Albert performs during the grand reopening of John Paul II Collegiate on Mon., Sept. 23 as dignitaries look on. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

JPII Renos

‘Plywood Palace’ no longer: JP II reopens with Moe and Cockrill

Sep 23, 2024 | 3:58 PM

A historic North Battleford building that has served the community for 112 years and has seen thousands of the community’s children walk through its halls for generations officially reopened Monday.

John Paul II Collegiate’s $18-million facelift was made a reality four years after planning first began on the renovation-expansion.

“To say that our adaptability… was put to the test for JPII would be an understatement,” Principal Bruce Yockey said during the school’s official reopening.

“We displaced teachers, classes and programs in all types of temporary spaces.”

Among the 28 school projects currently underway, the local renovations have made upgrades to the cafeteria, industrial arts, theatre spaces and common areas. While most of the funds came from the government, $3 million was contributed by the school board.

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As the $18 million renovation expansion project nears its completion, Sweetgrass Elder Bernadette Fineday had a message to the young people on the bleachers: look ahead.

Premier Scott Moe speaks during the grand reopening of John Paul II Collegiate on Monday, Sept. 23. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“The future, the future, the future, that’s what we always say,” she said. “I was always told ‘Never look back.’”

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe agreed.

“What is being created here is an opportunity and a learning environment for not just the students that are here today but the students for yet another generation to have a great learning environment to be able to interact with their educators and become all they can be,” he said.

“This is a living testament to the fact that you don’t always have to build new. You can make a very historic building a very functional learning environment and that’s shown here today through this renovation.”

The renovations were at the top of the Light of Christ Catholic School Board (LOCCSB) capital funding priority list for five years before plans began during the pandemic.

Board Chair Glen Gantefoer said Moe requested a tour of the school in February 2020 and one month later funding for it was approved in the provincial budget.

“Our dream for our beautiful and historic John Paul II Collegiate has become a reality,” he said, noting the changes have allowed for greater accessibility.

“This renovation allows us to continue to provide for cutting-edge learning opportunities, that ensure students have the necessary skills for future success.”

Premier Scott Moe and Jeremy Cockrill, minister of education speak to each other as local dignitaries watch proceedings during the grand reopening of John Paul II Collegiate on Mon., Sept. 23. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Jeremy Cockrill, minister of education and Battlefords MLA, said to have one of the projects in his community was “Fantastic.”

“It has significant impact on the students, on the families and the staff that work at this school,” he said.

Cockrill said the upgrades will allow students the opportunity to try subjects or trades earlier.

“We’ve got a growing region, a growing province so there’s lots of job opportunities for students and this is a great example of where we can provide better learning environments and better opportunities in high school,” he said.

“It’s just going to be better for our community and our province going forward.”

Referring to the school as the ‘Plywood Palace,’ Yockey said their school community never complained.

“We made the best out of what we had, we made some alternate arrangements,” he said.

“The kids and the staff never missed a beat.”

Seventeen-year-old Rory Combres, and Paige Michaud, 16, sit in the newly renovated commons during the grand reopening of John Paul II Collegiate on Mon., Sept. 23. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Taking a page out of Elder Fineday’s book, students are looking ahead to their new school year. The newly built and comfortable commons are already filling up with students and 16-year-old Paige Michaud said for the younger students, it gives them a place to go.

“I was really excited to come back and just seeing our school, I feel like there’s a whole new vibe,” she said.

Yockey said there was a lot of time and commitment invested in the efforts that took four years to complete.

“It’s gone through some phases before and this was another one – a really, really big one – but we’re just super excited about the possibilities that exist now,” he said.

For 17-year-old Rory Combres, it’s a chance to be relaxed in between classes.

“Me and my friends basically were just really excited to be in this comfortable space where we can work and have a nice, chill environment.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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