“This new school will provide the students of École Saint-Augustin the facilities they need to succeed,” said Premier Robert Ghiz. “Situating the school in a culturally rich community allows students to instill their French culture. It also enables this community to thrive and grow in their first language and helps to strengthen French language education in our province.”
The new École Saint-Augustin is located on the Church Road, situated in the historic and cultural heart of Rustico, along with the Farmers Bank, Doucet House and St. Augustine Church, which was built in 1838.
"This new facility will allow the school and community the ability to plan for the future and will benefit the community as a whole for decades to come," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Doug Currie.
Construction has begun and will continue over the winter months. The new facility will be 23,253 square feet and will house students from kindergarten to Grade 6. It includes an area for the Conseil Acadien de Rustico, which will include an early years centre, conseil office and a cultural development office. These latter community aspects of the project have been funded through Canadian Heritage. The contractor for the project is APM Group of Prince Edward Island.
The construction planning committee for École Saint-Augustin worked together to decide on what amenities would be included in the final design. The committee includes individuals from the community of Rustico, parents, the school principal, as well as representatives from La Commission scolaire de langue française and the departments of Education and Early Childhood Development and Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal.