Today local officials gathered to celebrate a sod turning event at the W.C. Miller Collegiate in Altona marking the start of construction on the school's new gym. Guest speakers included Emerson MLA Cliff Graydon, Altona Mayor Melvin Klassen, and Municipality of Rhineland Reeve Don Wiebe.

The gymnasium plans include a larger space with a high ceiling, additional change rooms, storage, office space and a fitness room.

Craig Smiley, Board Chair for Border Land School Division, said he is happy to see the project get underway.

"It's fantastic, this project's been long overdue and we finally got it to this point and it's a great thing for the communities and for the school division and all the kids," said Smiley.

BLSD Superintendent Krista Curry

He noted that next week construction will take off, and he hopes for the entire project to be completed within a year.

BLSD Superintendent Krista Curry is also pleased to see the project come to fruition.

"As many of the speakers today mentioned it's been a long time coming," said Curry.

"In terms of the community we have joint-use agreements with our community so the facilities are used by recreation programs from the town and people will use it for a variety of activities, so it's a benefit for everybody," she added.