SAINT JOHN (GNB) - A community hub with child-care facilities is being integrated into the design of the new kindergarten-to-Grade 5 school in the north end of Saint John.

"Schools no longer serve strictly as places of learning, but often become the heart of the community," said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan. "A hub of this kind will not only provide a space for children to continue developing their skills outside of school hours, but will have a positive impact on the community it serves for years to come."

The community hub is a pilot project that will include a dedicated, licensed early learning hub for children up to four years old, as well as spaces for school-aged children, a multi-purpose room and a community office.

Hogan said the district education council, the City of Saint John and local community groups have been among the project's advocates for several years.

The original school project announced in the 2023-24 capital budget is expected to cost $41.69 million. Just over $12 million is being invested in the hub integration, bringing the total to $53.71 million; $14.42 million is being invested in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

"In September we announced a replacement for two schools that have hosted programs that have benefited this community for more than half a century," said Hogan. "We are proud that the addition of a community hub to this new school will ensure continued access to these types of programs for all residents of north-end Saint John in a modern environment. We will be closely monitoring the impact and will use what we learn to inform future projects."

The facility being built on the former Crescent Valley School property will replace Hazen White-St. Francis School and Centennial School, which are both more than 55 years old. The school will accommodate 522 students. The community hub will be attached to the school but will operate as an independent facility.

Construction is expected to begin by this September, with the school and community hub both expected to open in September 2027.

As part of the same pilot project, the government announced last June that it would integrate a community hub into the design of the new kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school in the Saint John central peninsula.