Expansion of French- language school beginning in spring 2013

French- language education and culture in Prince Edward Island continues to improve with the expansion of l’École FrançoisBuote and the Carrefour de l’IsleSaint- Jean.

École François- Buote and the Carrefour de l’Isle- Saint- Jean was originally constructed in 1990 and accommodated 150 students. Since then, the student population has increased to more than 300.

The expansion will include two phases.

The first phase will include a 15,000- square- foot addition and more than 6,000 square feet of renovated space. It includes two new classrooms and a trades technology section for technical education, carpentry, motor vehicle repair and welding.

The community centre will benefit from new and renovated space for the Early Years Centre, the Before and After School program, community offices and meeting rooms, as well as improvements to kitchen storage and the lounge area.

“This is a significant investment for the Francophone community and French language education in Prince Edward Island,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “The planning committee, staff and students have done an excellent job of planning the new expansion and community spaces, which will foster a greater connection to the Acadian and francophone language and culture.”

Construction for the first phase of the expansion started in the spring and is expected to be complete by early 2013. The first phase is expected to cost approximately $ 3.9 million which will be costshared between the government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage, and the government of Prince Edward Island.

Concept planning for phase two is currently underway with the planning committee.

“The provincial government is pleased to see this community growing and prospering and attracting new families,” said Education Minister Alan McIsaac.

— If Summerside wants a bigger piece of convention business on the Island, it needs to ante up, says the president of a local tourism group.

Tourism Summerside made its pitch to the city’s finance committee, urging the passage of a one per cent increase in the accommodations tax levy.

City council will deal with the levy at its next meeting Monday.

President Duke Cormier told the committee a revamped Meetings and Conventions P. E. I. organization is being established with the sole purpose of bringing major conferences and meetings to the Island.

“Tourism Summerside is in support of moving the levy ahead from two to three per cent,” Cormier said. “The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is supporting Meetings and Conventions P. E. I. to the tune of $ 280,000. The province is $ 261,000 and the City of Charlottetown is around $ 250,000 by way of their levy.”