Six years later, WK facelift done

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Following years of ongoing renovations and upgrades, students at West Kings in Auburn are enjoying a facility that “feels fresh and provides equitable opportunities to all,” says principal Mike Ouellette.

Education Minister Karen Casey joined Ouellette, students and school board officials March 28 for a “renovation celebration.”

Alterations to the building, which opened in 1956; were completed over four years and with $14.8 million: a new 10,500 square foot gymnasium, upgrades to classrooms and science and arts wings. The school also received extensive site improvements.

The gymnasium, the only structural addition to the facility, was enhanced through an arrangement between the province and the school community. The school’s PTSA provided a cash contribution of $30,000 and committed to in-kind contributions of $148,000. “It was indeed a very unique partnership,” said Stuart Jamieson, Director of Finance and Operations with the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board.

Alterations to the school were part of the government's multi-year, $400-million school construction and renovation plan announced in 2003. Other local projects included upgrades at Central Kings and several Kings County elementary schools.

Work on West Kings was completed in six stages, the last of which was predominantly wrapped up in time for the current school year.

Recently-retired principal Marion Mann returned to the school to share in the celebration, thanking former Kings West MLA Jon Carey for making the project “a personal cause,” and her predecessor, Vic Fleury, for leading the charge and pushing for renovations. She also acknowledged the “quietly efficient, diplomatic work” of West Kings teacher and renovation liaison Bruce Prout throughout the project.

Student council president Laura Blezy welcomed the celebration as “an end to the chaos,” adding the new building no longer resembles “an ever-changing labyrinth,” but is instead now “a building that fits our needs and our pride.”