Lennox Island school gets $5.3M for upgrades, emergency shelter

The federal government is investing $5.3 million for an addition and upgrades to John J. Sark Memorial School in Lennox Island First Nation, as well as a new community emergency warming shelter.

The school will be expanded to accommodate a kitchen, cafeteria, principal's officeand health room, Indigenous Services Canada said in a news release.

Upgrades to the existing building will also provide spaces for Mi'kmawlanguage and culture education, pre-kindergarten programs, increased building security, essential staff spacesand additional storage.

The expanded building will also include an emergency warming shelter for community members, which will include a backup generator, washrooms, storage spaceand an expanded kitchen.

The community ofLennoxIsland is grateful. Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramjattan

Lennox Island First Nation Chief Matilda Ramjattan said she is "extremely happy" with the improvements to the school.

"It is a very much needed space," she said in the release. "The community of Lennox Island is grateful."

Construction on the schoolbegan in July is expected to be completed by next summer.

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