Light of Christ introduces new learning centre to public

The hall named after St. Thomas Aquinas was filled with teachers, parents and administrators, as Light of Christ School Division announced the opening of their new Learning Centre last Thursday.

The facility, located at 1202-105 St., is the former Knights of Columbus building by the water tower. It features a lobby, a main hall, a kitchen, a boardroom and a basement, approximately 1,000 sq. ft.

Light of Christ Director of Education Cory Rideout opened the event with greetings. In attendance were North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater and MLA Herb Cox, among others.

Light of Christ Board Chair Glen Gantefoer said the board wanted to capture distinct Catholic culture in the building’s design.  

Three rooms are named after religious figures. In addition to the hall, the kitchen is named after St. Theresa of Calcutta.

The boardroom, where Light of Christ meetings will be held, is named after Bishop of the Diocese of Prince Albert, Albert Thevenot. Thevenot offered comments, blessed the building, and recommended “an extra dose of Holy Spirit” for the boardroom.

The school board purchased the building about a year and a half ago from the North Battleford Knights of Columbus. The building cost approximately $350,000, while renovations cost $220,000. Gantefoer said the money came from the division’s reserve fund.

Gantefoer said hosting professional development events for teachers across the province would be one of the building’s primary purposes, and Rideout said the facility could be used for a number of purposes in the community, such as being a potential location for Christmas concerts and community kitchens.

Rideout and Gantefor said the building serves a number of the school board’s needs, including being office space, a meeting hall and a storage area.

Gantefoer said renovating office space needs to be approved by the Ministry of Education, and the ministry has not approved certain facility upgrades recently.

Rather than perform major renovations to the current office located at located at 9301-19 Ave., the board decided to perform minor renovations to its current office, and dedicate funds to the facility.

The parking lot adjacent to the building will be used for events at the Learning Centre, and by Notre Dame School across the street.

Rideout emphasized the importance the Learning Centre can have in building relationships.