Regina students move to new Sacred Heart School

With the old school becoming more and more in disrepair, students at Regina’s Sacred Heart School are now in their new classrooms.

Around 420 students moved into the school’s new building last week.

The three-storey building has a brand new library, chapel and classrooms for the pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 students on each floor.

Students are still using the old church as a gymnasium until the new one is completed, which is expected to be finished in December 2017.

The old building was built in 1928 in Regina.

Rod Hoffart, superintendent of facilities with Regina Catholic Schools, said one of the major reasons for the new building was the old gymnasium.

“We couldn’t even get a solid concrete core sample, it kept coming out like powder,” Hoffart said.

The school board decided to close the gym but ensured the school remained safe.

The project had a budget of $25 million but Hoffart said the build only cost around $21 million.

Another feature Hoffart was proud of was the bricks and materials, including the statue outside, which were brought over from the old building to the new location.

“You keep the tradition of the old school and you transfer it into the new one.”

Hoffart said the students have been very positive about the change, with it receiving glowing reviews from parents and students alike.

The walls still remain bare, with much of the artwork and decorations from the old building still needing to be brought over.

“We’re still growing into the school, it’s kind of like a new house,” said David Magnusson, the school’s principal. “You move in and get a feel for it and then we’ll start putting up the decorations.”

Demolition of the old school will begin on May 16. The new building is expected to be fully completed by September 2018.