Parents give thumbs up to proposed junior high at Bloomfield site

The old Bloomfield School site as a possible new junior high piqued the interest of many parents who attended a meeting about the proposal at Citadel High School Tuesday night in Halifax.

"Certainly, the Bloomfield site is wonderful because it can draw from all directions," said Lindsay Linkletter, one of many parents at the meeting.

Linkletter's children would attend Oxford School, which would close under the recommendations that were being discussed.

Support for Bloomfield

"If [Oxford School] were to move, I would be in support of [Bloomfield]," Linkletter said.

Highland Park Junior High would also close if the recommendations are accepted.

The Nova Scotia government and Housing Nova Scotia backed away from the Bloomfield site in May. That opened the door for other options to be explored, including a new school.

'A good public purpose'

"I understand the anticipated use of it has kind of fallen apart," said Stefan Leslie, another parent.

"Rather than having it go on unused, it should be used for a good public purpose. If a junior high is best sited there, then that's what it should be used for," said Leslie.

The Bloomfield site has a history of academics. A number of schools have been on the property. The latest was a junior high school that closed in 1988.

Central, large site

"We're excited that it could now be an option for our consolidated junior high," said Jon Frost, chairman of the school options committee.

"It's central and it's a large site, it really does fit what we need," said Frost.

While the future of the Oxford School is uncertain, the recommendations call for Highland Park Junior High to be turned into a green space.

Repairs, renovations at other schools

The recommendations are also calling for St. Joseph's-Alexander McKay Elementary School to undergo a major renovation.

St. Stephen's Elementary School and Joseph Howe Elementary would also see some renovations.

All five schools are currently in need of repairs or renovations.

The recommendations will be forwarded to the Halifax Regional School Board at an upcoming board meeting.