New School for Drummondville Elementary – Spring 2022!

A New School for the Next Generation!

Construction begins and the visuals are unveiled  for the New English-Language
Elementary School in Drummondville

Drummondville, February 24, 2021 ― The Eastern Townships School Board is proud to announce the start of construction for the new Drummondville Elementary School on Farrell Street and to unveil the architect’s renderings to the entire population. The excavation work began on February 8th with the first groundbreaking.

This important project will help to meet the needs of students for additional space at the Eastern. Townships School Board’s Drummondville Elementary School. Drummondville Elementary School is the only English-language school serving the municipality of Drummondville and the surrounding population, providing students with the benefit of a quality education in a bilingual environment.  The school’s student population has tripled since it reopened in 1998.

An investment of just over $16.6 million was provided for this project under the Plan québécois des infrastructures. The school will consist of approximately 4,000 square metres spread over two levels, with an L-shaped plan that frames the playground. It will include three pre-school classes and 13 regular classes as well as a double gymnasium, which could also be made accessible to the community.

 

 

The design was created within the parameters prescribed in the new “Guide de planification immobilière pour les établissements scolaires primaires” from the Ministère de l’Éducation du Québec, which aims to:

  • Provide a new architectural identity highlighting Québec know-how by integrating wood into common spaces, aluminum in the siding, the blue fleurdelisé colour accenting these last elements and finally by using the common signage for all new Québec schools.
  • Promote natural light and materials that provide an environment conducive to educational success. The school will have abundant windows for both classrooms and common spaces.
  • Design schools that are integrated into their environment, open and accessible with facilities and spaces that can be shared with the community (the school has a courtyard on the ground floor and a covered terrace on the first floor).
  • Make these new schools examples of sustainable development through the integration of passive energy sources, local materials that are heath conscious, high energy efficiency, an environment promoting acoustics and the use of natural sources for ventilation and light all the while integrating spaces where vegetation will be prioritized. Several new trees will be integrated into the outdoor design to provide shaded areas in both the playground and the parking lots in order to minimize having areas with excessive heat.

 

 

  • Provide students with flexible and collaborative spaces adapted to new learning realities that will foster socialization and exchanges. Upstairs, an agora adjacent to the library will provide a friendly space for students to gather. 

 

“With the continued increase in enrolment at Drummondville Elementary School, our wish was to be able to build a new school with a large playground, a state-of-the-art recreation area and cutting edge technology classrooms. Today marks the beginning of the ability to provide the students and the staff of Drummondville Elementary School a learning environment where they can not only succeed but above all thrive.”

 Michael Murray, Chair of the Eastern Townships School Board

 

“As throughout the province, the need for space in schools in the Centre-du Québec region is needed! For several months, we have continued our efforts to accelerate the deployment of the new generation of schools. Youth deserve safe, modern and stimulating learning environments to grow in and develop to their full potential. I am very proud of the start of work on Drummondville Elementary School and I am confident that this project also delights the families of the community”.

 Jean-François Roberge, Minister of Education

 

“Our government is once again showing the importance it places on education and I could not be happier for the families and children of our beautiful region. They will have the chance to rise above the challenges they face in an environment that is conducive to their development and success. That is excellent news! “

 André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region

 

“The start of construction on the new elementary school in Drummondville is great news for families in my ward. Thanks to this project, students will be able to evolve in a stimulating environment, adapted to their needs and their reality. I am also pleased that the community will be able to take advantage of these new and improved outdoor living spaces”.

 Sébastien Schneeberger, Deputy of Drummond-Bois-Francs and Deputy Government House Leader

 

“The realization of this new school is a major achievement for the Eastern Townships School Board, and I commend its vision and determination. The town is proud to be part of this project. It is without a doubt, that this school represents an important added value for the neighborhood and the community, who will benefit from this new modern infrastructure”. 

 Mme Stéphanie Lacoste, Municipal Councilor for District 10 and Delegate for Families and Youth for the City of Drummondville
 

“Since my arrival at Drummondville Elementary School in 2016, it has been my dream to see a new school. Our parents, our staff, our students and our community all worked hard for this dream to become a reality”.

 Dany Grenon, Principal of Drummondville Elementary School

 

With 20 elementary schools, three secondary schools, two adult education centres, two vocational training centres, one distance education program and one international student program, the Eastern Townships School Board offers educational services to students from the Estrie, Montérégie and Centre-du Québec regions. We offer students the advantage of studying in a bilingual environment, supported by attentive adults and a technological approach integrated into the pedagogy, centered on the student.

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Source:             Sharon Priest

Communications Consultant,
Eastern Townships School Board