Site preparation for the new kindergarten to Grade 8 school in the south end of Saint John continues to progress.
Brent McGovern, the city’s chief administrative officer, provided an update to council this week on the Rainbow Park project.
“The province and Anglophone South School District and the city continue to work on the new school,” McGovern told council members.
“With funding confirmed for the construction, the city is working with them on site preparation for the school that has begun and the province is also beginning the process for demolition of the houses on St. James Street.”
Several properties located along St. James Street on the north end of the park will be demolished to make way for the new school.
Public consultations on the new school and park enhancements will begin later in July, according to McGovern.
The CAO also confirmed that a memorial garden honouring two New Brunswick children will remain in the park.
“The Turner-Brewer Memorial will remain at Rainbow Park with a commitment from the province to pay for the cost of the memorial’s relocation,” said McGovern.
The memorial garden honours two-year-old Jacqueline Brewer and three-year-old John Ryan Turner, who died of neglect and abuse at the hands of their parents in the 1990s.
The new south end school, estimated to cost around $46 million, will replace Prince Charles and St. John the Baptist/King Edward schools.
It is expected to be open in time for September 2026.
