Île-des-Sœurs elementary school : Expansion work begins

Completion of the project will be made possible by a tripartite investment: the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports, the Marguerite-Bourgeoys school board (CSMB) and Verdun Borough are the partners in this project. In addition to the 12 classrooms, an immense multi-purpose recreational area will be built and which can be converted into three platforms for athletic and community activities. These pieces of equipment will be connected to the Elgar Community Centre via a corridor, the whole of which will be called the “Elgar Community Centre.”

Borough Council members ratified the various agreements relating to this project during a special meeting held on May 20. They have therefore approved the agreement covering the area on which the expansion work will be carried out; they have also approved the protocol for the use of facilities of the school and the Elgar Community Centre.

The overall project leader is the CSMB. About 350 additional students will be accommodated in L'Île-des-Sœurs elementary school in the next school year. One of the important elements of this project is the provision of an immense multi-purpose recreational facility which can accommodate about 600 people. This facility can be converted into three platforms to be reserved for athletic and community activities; even inside soccer games can be held here. By virtue of the protocol agreement, residents will have exclusive access to the complex beginning at 18h00 during school days, all day during weekends and during the summer season. The CSMB will have exclusive use of the entire facility between 7h00 and 18h during the school year.

Mayor Claude Trudel is delighted with this project coming to fruition especially as it has been the subject of discussions for several years. The Borough will invest $1.4 million in the project. “As I said previously, and will insist on saying it again today, this project is a testimony of our desire to offer a community centre to Verdun residents and particularly those who live in l’Île-des-Sœurs; a centre where education, culture, sports and recreation will come together in harmony”, he said.

The required land for the construction of the entire complex is located between the elementary school and the Elgar Community Centre. The baseball and tennis fields that were in this area previously were already relocated a few years ago in preparation for construction work. The Borough should soon resolve the issue of cutting down a dozen adult trees in the area to complete the project. It will undertake a “green” landscaping plan as soon as construction work ends.

Photo : à venir