School shortage in Paradise, C.B.S. cited at development forum
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 25, 2008 | 6:37 AM NT
CBC News
Topsail MHA Elizabeth Marshall says she is not sure a new school poised to open in Paradise in 2010 will be enough for area families. (CBC)A lack of schools was flagged Monday night at a public forum on the rapid growth of two towns outside St. John's.
Almost 100 people attended a CBC-sponsored forum on whether Conception Bay South and Paradise are prepared for the steady development that has been underway for years.
Paradise resident Sean Dawe said a dire shortage of classrooms is proof they aren't.
"We have one school in Paradise. It's packed well beyond capacity," said Dawe, describing the aftermath of the mould-caused closure of Paradise Elementary in 2006, when students were bused to St. John's and Mount Pearl schools. This fall, all the students were relocated to one school, albeit in St. John's.
"Last year, we lost our music room, the cafeteria and half of the library for classroom use. But yet, there are still large homes and numerous subdivisions being put up all over the town."
Many of the people moving to Paradise and Conception Bay South are young families, attracted to more affordable housing prices than in much of St. John's.
Elizabeth Marshall, the MHA for Topsail district, said her government is building two new schools in Paradise, with the first one to be ready by 2010.
However, she admitted that may still not be enough.
"Right now, a lot of our children are being bused down to the School for the Deaf [in St. John's], and so that's going to carry on till 2010," Marshall told the forum.
"The concern that I [have] as an MHA is that when 2010 comes, is the new school going to be able to accommodate all the children in the community?"
Marshall said she will be meeting with education and school board officials Wednesday about her concerns.
