Cynthia King

Dunsford Pleased with Government’s Decision to Construct School in Stratford

Stratford, PE (June 24, 2008) — Cynthia Dunsford, MLA for District 6 Stratford-Kinlock, said she is pleased with Government’s decision to accept the Eastern School District’s recommendation to build a new school in Stratford. The School District trustees met last week and voted in favour of recommending that a new school be built next to Glen Stewart Elementary.

The recent provincial enrolment study indicated that student populations at Glen Stewart are expected to rise over the coming years, particularly as kindergarten moves into the school system in 2010. Premier Robert Ghiz recently announced that Government has accepted the recommendation to build a new grades four to six facility in Stratford at a cost of approximately $8.7 million. The existing school will house kindergarten to grade 3 classes.

“I was pleased to learn that the Trustees had recommended that steps be taken to address the growth that Glen Stewart has seen and will continue to see”, said Ms. Dunsford, “and I am thrilled that Government has accepted the School District’s recommendation. Since being elected, I have communicated to my colleagues in Cabinet the concerns of a large number of my constituents who are supportive of a new school in Stratford. I believe that this decision will serve the children of Stratford extremely well into the future.”

In addition to approving new construction in Stratford, Government also approved recommendations for an expansion to Westwood Primary School in Cornwall, and approved in principle a new early childhood to grade 12 school in Souris. Construction on Glen Stewart and Westwood will begin immediately, while planning on the new facility in Souris will commence shortly.

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For more information contact:
Government Members’ Office, 368-4330

Hazel Gallant
Government Members’ Office
368-4341 (o)
368-4348 (fax)
hggallant@gov.pe.ca

Left to right: Tom Hayward; Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour; Kevin Jenkins, Mayor of Stratford; Gerald MacDonald, PEI Soccer Assoc.; Cynthia Dunsford, MLA Stratford-Kinlock; Wayne Hooper, ACOA; Alan McIsaac, MLA Vernon River-Stratford.

Island soccer players now can hone their skills in any weather conditions as the province’s first indoor soccer facility has officially opened in Stratford.

Thanks to investments from the Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island, the Town of Stratford and the PEI Soccer Association, the new 46,500 square foot regional complex now provides an ideal location for competitions and high-performance training for players, coaches and referees.

“Our government is committed to working with our provincial and community partners to build the necessary infrastructure for Islanders and encourage participation in sport,” said the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). “This project will create the potential for sports governing bodies to spur growth in soccer while also producing economic benefits through the hosting of regional events.”

The nearly $4 million facility, which is conveniently located adjacent to four existing outdoor soccer fields, is a clear span, self-supporting insulated steel structure, providing an obstruction-free interior and featuring an artificial turf playing surface.

Soccer has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years on Prince Edward Island. Demand for access to the complex is expected be high as there are currently 6,000 soccer players on PEI, and that number is expected to continue growing in the next few years.

“This new PEI Regional Indoor Soccer Facility is an investment in the health and well being of Islanders and will serve residents of our One Island Community for many years to come,” said Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour. “I am sure many Prince Edward Island soccer players are anxious to play on this beautiful artificial turf surface.”

“Everyone involved in the sport of soccer on PEI is going to be impressed with this facility,” said Gerald MacDonald, PEI Soccer Association President. “As a result of the tremendous cooperation among all levels of government and the support of our Island soccer players, it is now a reality and will serve players across the Island well into the future.”

The Government of Canada, the Province of Prince Edward Island and the PEI Soccer Association each contributed $1,328,600 to the project.

“We are very pleased and excited to have the new indoor soccer facility located in the Town of Stratford, where the largest soccer club in P.E.I. is located,” stated Mayor Kevin Jenkins “The Town of Stratford contributed the land, $150,000 and tax relief for five years to the facility to support our local soccer community and to generate economic activity in the Town.”

This summer, Islanders will notice a new type of road sign on Island highways intended to encourage drivers to be mindful of cyclists, and encourage cyclists to ride safely.
This week, the Department of Transportation and Public Works installed its brand new “Share the Road” signs. The signs have been erected in the town of Stratford, and along Route 6 between Stanhope and Brackley Beach.
“Every year, more Islanders are using bicycles as a primary mode of Transportation and as part of a healthy lifestyle,” says Minister of Transportation and Public Works Ron MacKinley. “As tourists begin to arrive on the Island for the summer, our roads will begin to see more and more cyclists. So it’s very important that we take steps to remind drivers to share the road and give cyclists lots of room.”
The “Share the Road” signs are part of a larger campaign launched by the Department in late May meant to encourage safe cycling on Prince Edward Island. Radio and television ads have been running for the last few weeks which ask drivers to  share the road, and ask cyclists to ride safely and wear a helmet.
The department has also partnered with Cycling P.E.I. to promote bicycle rodeos at various locations across the Island. The rodeos will give cyclists safe riding information, and a bicycle inspection to ensure bicycles are in good working order.
“Cycling P.E.I. is very pleased with the attention that’s been paid to this very important issue,” says Mark Bowlan, president of Cycling P.E.I.. “We expect this campaign will go a long way to promote safe cycling on Prince Edward Island and we look forward to continued efforts in the future.”
“Residents in my community have been asking for something to help promote cycling safety for a number of years,” says Stratford-Kinlock MLA and avid cyclist Cynthia Dunsford. “It’s great to see this government putting in the effort to make Island roads safer for cyclists, and at the same time encourage safe riding.”