A new kindergarten to grade eight school in Morden is one step closer to becoming a reality.

Education Minister Cliff Cullen announced today, the province is topping up its investment in school capital projects by $100 million for a total of $260 million in kindergarten to Grade 12 school capital investments to advance school improvement projects and expedite the province’s commitment to build 20 news schools.

The announcement officially propels the new Morden school project into the design phase. 

“When it comes to the larger capital investments such as additions to schools or new schools themselves, we look at the population demand for those particular schools and in what regions of the province they are required,” notes Cullen, justifying the decision. “Our government is advancing education by improving the classroom experience for students and educators by providing new schools on a priority basis,”

“As the province moves ahead with its Better Education Starts Today strategy, placing our education system’s focus on students first, we have to ensure the environment in which they learn will help students succeed," added Cullen.

Cullen says his government’s aggressive financial commitment will accelerate the construction of the new Morden school, and many others, by up to five years. 

Meanwhile, this funding will also cover a three-classroom expansion and construction of a new shop for the vocational pipefitting program at Morden Collegiate.

Specifically, the 2021-22 Capital Plan includes:

- $62 million – continuing multi-year projects;
- $77 million – medium and major new schools, additions and major renovations;
- $106.7 million – medium and minor existing infrastructure renewal projects;
- $25.9 million – mechanical;
- $21.6 million – roofing;
- $41.5 million – structural;
- $17.7 million – accessibility upgrades;
- $9.1 million – science lab upgrades across the province; and
- $5.5 million – modular classroom units to address immediate enrolment demands.

“These critical investments will ensure that more students have the opportunity to learn and grow in high-quality learning environments close to home in the communities that they live and play in, especially in growing communities,” says Cullen.

The minister noted Budget 2021 made a record investment above $3 billion in the public school system, including up to $160 million for COVID-19 costs through the Safe Schools Fund and $5 million to advance the Better Education Starts Today strategy to improve the education system. Manitoba Education announced a 1.56 per cent operating increase for 2021-22 for public schools along with a $22.8-million Tax Offset Grant to lessen the impacts on property tax ratepayers.

The $1.6-billion funding guarantee represents a four-year funding commitment including approximately $750 million of additional operating and $910 million of capital funding. The $750 million in operating over the four years was calculated based on 2.5 per cent annual growth over the 2019-20 summary education spending. The capital funding includes an allocation for new schools construction.