HomeMy WebLinkAboutGatineau school still under construction days before classes start - CBC News - 08/29/2017 - CBC News - 08/29/20178/29/2017 Gatineau school still under construction days before classes start - Ottawa - CBC News
Gatineau school still under construction days before classes start
Officials maintain unfinished school is ready to welcome students safely
By Sandra Abma, CBC News Posted: Aug 29, 2017 5:00 AM ET Last Updated: Aug 29, 2017 5:00 AM
ET
On the inside, Ecole de la Foret is a brand new school designed for high-tech learning. It has gleaming
floors and spacious classrooms, ready to welcome students, but there's one problem — the outside of
the school is still a construction site, complete with rubble and machinery.
The $16 -million dollar project, located at 219 Bois -Franc Ave. in the Aylmer sector of Gatineau, was
slated to be completed before Thursday, the beginning of the school year, but there's at least a month's
worth of construction left to do on the brick exterior, surrounding grounds and the new gymnasium.
With only two days before their children start school, parents have raised concerns about safety issues
and access to the outdoors for recess and athletic activities.
"I'm really worried about the security of my kids, when the work will be finished and if they will have the
possibility to play outside." said Andr6e Gilles, whose ten -year-old son Cedric will attend the school.
Construction to be done after hours, on weekends
Officials with Commission scolaire des portages-de-I'Outaouais (CSPO) held a conference on Tuesday
to reassure parents that major construction would not take place while the students are at school.
"There is work that needs to be done, but no big machinery will be operated while children are there,"
said CSPO President Johanne L6gare.
"All the major work will be done after school or on the weekends."
L6gare said the school's phys-ed teachers have devised plans to keep the kids active, and that some
activities would be moved to a nearby municipal park.
"Children will be able to go outside and play at recess," said L6gare.
Outside Ecole de la Foret, a number of parents and their children strolling by said they were excited
about starting in the brand new facility, and would take any inconveniences in stride.
"It's a beautiful building," said Veronique Chenier, whose five-year-old son will start his schooling
Thursday.
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Gatineau school still under construction days before classes start - Ottawa - CBC News
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