By Greg Nikkel
Education Minister Don Morgan joined the students and staff of the Weyburn Comprehensive School and Weyburn Junior High, along with representatives from the Southeast Cornerstone School Division and City of Weyburn, for the official grand reopening of the Comp School.
The ceremonies were held in the Cugnet Centre on Thursday with all students from both schools filling the auditorium.
To the left of the stage was the Grade 8/9 band from the junior high, which played O Canada, and to the right was a large combined choir from the Comp, which concluded the ceremonies with the song, “One Day More”.
“It’s astonishing this school was built 50 years ago,” said minister Morgan. “Now it looks new all over again. This school has been transformed into a state-of-the-art building.”
Noting the provincial government has contributed some $41 million towards its construction, he said, “With a growing student population in Weyburn, more modern facilities were needed to provide a first-class educational experience for the students and teachers of this historic high school.”
The school has been prepared for the consolidation of the Weyburn Junior High into the school in the fall, making it a Grades 7-12 school.
The plans are now for the junior high building to be demolished, with a new elementary school facility to be built in its place to house the students from Queen Elizabeth and Haig Schools.
In addition, Morgan noted the day care has had 39 new spaces added to it, and the Southeast College will also move into their new quarters in the building later this spring.
He also pointed out that Southeast Cornerstone was formed 10 years ago, and said this was a great way to mark its first decade as a school division.
The facility has about 35,000 square feet of additional space that includes the new Colleen Weimer Hall entryway, the large multi-purpose Cugnet Centre with gym, auditorium and performing and visual arts spaces, along with band and choral rooms, and a new school administration area. There were also renovations to the classroom, science labs, library and resource centre, a new commercial kitchen and expansion of the child care area.
“I was trying to think how many years ago it’s been since I was a student in these hallways,” said Mayor Debra Button. “I’ve since had a son graduate from here, and I have three children that one day, I hope, will participate in their graduation here.”
She noted that not all learning takes place in the classroom, but said all learning will help shape them into the individuals they will be in the future.
“I never thought I’d be walking back into this facility to talk to students about municipal politics, and especially our young women. At one time, they were not career options for us. I’m sure I shocked a few teachers,” said Mayor Button.
The Comp will provide them a learning environment, she added. “This facility is here for you to learn, develop relationships, talents and abilities.”
“We are pleased to officially open the newly-renovated Weyburn Comprehensive School. In September 2016, we will welcome students from Grades 7-12 to this facility and we look forward to providing more opportunities for these students to be successful,” said Audrey Trombley, chair of the Southeast Cornerstone board.
She along with Jacquie Williams and Jackie Wilson unveiled a plaque commemorating late trustees Len Williams, Bryan Wilson and Garry Hammett for their dedication to education and to renewing the Comp School. Both Williams and Wilson were former teachers at the Comp as well, and Wilson also served a term as principal.
Student leaders Tyler Ochitwa, co-chair of the Comp SRC, and Mackenzie Kot of the WJH MALT Squad, also spoke, and helped with the ribbon-cutting along with minister Morgan, principal Wade Oberg, Trombley and education director Lynn Little. Parent representatives Laura Pelechaty and Tammy Manning also brought greetings.
