École Ste. Odile receives money for schoolyard

The good news for the school’s 430 students was announced on Monday by St. Laurent deputy, Jacques P. Dupuis, speaking on behalf of Michelle Courchesne, the minister of education, leisure, and sports. “If we make our school buildings and school yards stimulating places and adapt to the needs of the children, they will want to spend time there and succeed,” the minister said in a press release.

Ste. Odile’s director, Robert Ledoux, already knows how the money will be spent. The $30,000 will go towards adding play areas, mini-soccer fields, resting areas, play modules for young children, and basketball baskets in the court at the back of the building on Dépatie Street. A part of the money will also be used for improving the looks of the area.

As the school will have to spend $10,000 out of its own pockets, several fundraisers will be organized, like a bazaar and an aluminum can and empty bottle collection. “Depending on the money raised, we will improve our initial plan over the next few years,” said Ledoux. The first of the renovations should starts before the end of the school year.