New English school takes shape in New Carlisle

The new English-language preschool, primary and secondary school is officially taking shape in New Carlisle. The ceremonial first shovelful of earth took place Tuesday morning in the presence of several guests, gathered despite the whims of Mother Nature.

Construction work, carried out by Habitat Construction Matane, began on August 19 on Dover Street. Many people present stressed their joy at seeing the project, announced in 2021, finally come to fruition.

It was about time, indeed! We are very happy.

It was a need that was there. It’s not a luxury for young peopledeclares Ms. Simoneau, all smiles. The mayor of New Carlisle, David Thibault, did not hide his joy either. It’s the first new school in all of Gaspésie in 50 years and it’s in our backyard, at home. We are super happy about that, super happy!exclaims the chosen one.

According to the Eastern Shores School Board, the budget of approximately $30.3 million and the schedule, which provides for students to move in January 2026, have so far been respected. Since the start of the work, […] everything goes as plannedsays Denise Simoneau.

It will definitely be a magnificent place.said Bonaventure MP Catherine Blouin, who had the opportunity to examine the plans.

Denise Simoneau also specifies that the start of construction brings excitement among young and old who are expected to frequent the future establishment. The young people of course see the start of the work. The dream is becoming more and more reality. They are definitely looking forward to the transfer to the new school.she adds.

If everything goes as hoped, the work should be concluded at the end of November 2025.

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The new school will be able to accommodate up to 234 students. It will contain 15 educational premises spread over two floors and a modern library.

Sports infrastructures will make it possible to host regional or provincial sports competitions while the facilities of the old school were not compliant. In the new school, the gymnasium is grandiose. We will be able to do all the sports that young people want to playadds Denise Simoneau, who specifies that the community will also be able to attend the gymnasium outside of class hours.

I am really interested in doing as much as possible with the community because a school is not just for young peopleadded Wade Gifford, president of the board of directors of the Eastern Shores School Board.

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Mr. Gifford specifies that discussions have already taken place with the Municipality in this regard.

The project for a new school welcoming English-speaking students residing in the territory between Port-Daniel–Gascons and Bonaventure was delayed for various reasons, including the Quebec government engineers’ strike. The Eastern Shores School Board also reminded Tuesday that the plans had to be revised along the way to adapt to the needs of the different clienteles who will frequent the premises.

Mayor Thibault admits that the process was long and arduous, but congratulates the many stakeholders who worked on this file and who did not give up. It wasn’t easyhe agrees.

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Mr. Gifford recalled at a press conference on Tuesday that a first request for such a school had been sent to the provincial government in 1974.

High hopes in New Carlisle

The arrival of the Baie-des-Chaleurs Regional School raises great hopes in New Carlisle, which has some 1,400 inhabitants. Mayor Thibault believes that the project, which he judges significantwill have positive repercussions for the entire community.

It represents the future of the municipality because the future belongs to young people, to the next generation.

The elected official hopes that the school will become a concrete tool to fight against devitalization. Whether at the residential level or the quality of the surrounding streets, everything will follow with this project.estimates David Thibault, who also hopes that many families will want to settle in New Carlisle once the new school is completed.

And the current building?

The current English school in New Carlisle, built in 1914, needed to be replaced. Asbestos and mold have been found there in recent years.

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However, the Eastern Shores School Board intends to formally examine the fate of the building once the students have moved to their new premises. If demolition is still part of the scenarios examined, a sale of the building is not currently excluded either. We’ll see, it’s not set in stonespecifies Wade Gifford.