The keys to the new $26.4 million K-12 Rosthern Community School were turned over to Prairie Spirit School Division (PSSD) officials on June 15.
And for the past several weeks, staff from Rosthern High School and Rosthern Elementary School have been moving equipment and supplies into the new facility in preparation for opening day in early September.
Construction on the new school began in October, 2018. Designed by Group 2 Architecture and built by Graham Construction, the new school has a capacity of about 450 students and will also house a 30-space, licensed childcare centre, practical and applied arts space, full-size gym and common area and new administration offices.
The new K-12 school will replace both Rosthern Elementary School, built in 1968, and Rosthern High School, built in 1961. Both those aging buildings had serious structural issues.
Demolition of the old high school, which is located adjacent to the new school, is expected to begin in July and be completed by November.
The old elementary school is also slated for demolition; however, the school’s gymnasium will be preserved for community use. The budget for both demolition projects is $1.3 million.
At a PSSD Board of Education meeting on June 15, PSSD Deputy Director of Education Noel Roche said the new Rosthern Community School project, including the demolition of the old building, came in under budget.
The PSSD Board approved a motion at that meeting to reallocate the savings, in the amount of $189,000, toward the purchase of additional educational programming and supplies for the school.
Former Rosthern High School Principal Mitch Luiten will be the first Principal at the Rosthern Community School.
Former Rosthern Elementary School Principal Andrea Foster is also moving to the new school in the fall, where she will take on the role of Vice-Principal.
. Both have been very involved in the transition to the new facility. In an interview with the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF) Bulletin in December, 2019, Luiten and Foster said they want to establish a strong new culture and identity when the two schools become one in the fall.
A school logo with the motto: ‘Relationships, Courage, Success’ and featuring a circular-shaped tree with multi-coloured leaves was adopted in the fall of 2019.
The community of Rosthern is also very excited to see the new school open, according to Roche. He told the PSSD Board meeting on June 15 there is a lot of anticipation for opening day.