The floors were glossy; the glass sparkling as the new Humboldt Collegiate institute (HCI) was officially opened.
On April 2, a ceremony was held in the new HCI gymnasium to officially open what has been described as a "dynamic facility," housing Grades 9 to 12 of HCI, and Carlton Trail Regional College (CTRC). It is also connected to the Humboldt Uniplex, which contains a new fitness centre, hockey arena, curling rink, aquatic centre and community halls.
The new gym was packed with members of the community, members of the boards of education, students and staff, who watched the official opening ribbon get cut into pieces by six dignitaries.
"This is the culmination of a lengthy process," said HCI principal Keith Thompson in opening the ceremony.
Construction of the facility began in 2010, and continued over a very soggy summer. Construction wrapped up late last year, and students started classes in the new facility February 1.
A number of different partners were involved in the construction process. The Ministry of Education contributed $12.5 million towards HCI, and the Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, as well as Industry Canada, provided $4 million for the CTRC wing, which houses classrooms, computer labs and administrative space, through the Knowledge Infrastructure Program.
The federal government's Building Canada Fund, administered through Western Economic Diversification Canada and the Saskatchewan Ministry of Municipal Affairs, invested over $1.9 million to fund upgrades to the Uniplex, which is now connected to the new school.
Those partners each got a turn at the podium.
"Projects like the development of this modern, accessible facility in Humboldt help build strong and vibrant communities right across Canada," said Brad Trost, member of parliament for Saskatoon-Humboldt, in a statement read at the opening. "Our government is proud to support important infrastructure projects such as this one, which created jobs and economic growth and will benefit the residents of Humboldt and the surrounding area for many years to come."
"This is truly an exciting day to be here with you," said Donna Harpauer, Saskatchewan Minister of Education and MLA for Humboldt. "The completion of this school has been highly anticipated... all the planning and patience (has) paid off when you look at this beautiful facility."
"This is such a demonstration that partnerships do work, and how all levels of government.... can work extremely well together," Harpauer noted.
"The new HCI will provide a great new environment for students. The Ministry of Education is pleased to have contributed to the realization of this facility, which will provide improved learning opportunities to students and add to the community."
Harpauer wished the students great success in their learning, and congratulated them on their new facility.
Diane Boyko, chair of the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division (GSCSD), said the joint partnerships behind HCI - the school is run by both GSCSD and Horizon School Division (HZSD), and now involves the City and CTRC through the new facility - "makes HCI something very special....
"Today, we celebrate the final milestone in the journey from old school to new," she stated.
It was a process, coming up with the plans for the new school, she indicated - one that involved staff, students and the community at large. She called the process "rewarding," and one that "helped the school... evolve into what it is, a modern, innovative facility."
The school, she added, is a visual symbol of Humboldt's vibrant character, and reflects the city's confidence in its young people.
"The new HCI is proof that strong partnerships produce results," said Jim Hack, chair of the HZSD board of education. "The new shared-use facility will indeed provide opportunities for students and the community, now and into the future."
The students of HCI then got a turn at the podium, represented by student representative council co-president, Paige Crozon. Her counterpart, Garrison Berger, did not speak.
Crozon provided the definitions of the words wish, demand, opportunity, grateful, unity and excel.
The new school started with a wish, she said.
"With minor disruptions in the old school, the staff of HCI wanted, desired, longed for a new school," she said.
The wish later turned to demand, and an opportunity for a new school arose.
"With many hours of organizing, planning, consulting, constructing and moving, the old HCI was no longer," she stated.
"With a smooth and swift transition into the new school, we began to develop a new appreciation for all we received. The student body is extremely grateful... With a truly state of the art school, the staff and students of HCI were in awe."
There is a definite sense of increased unity in the new school, Crozon said, and their sense of community is expanding.
"The new HCI is a great environment for students and staff to excel.... in academics, athletics and the arts.... This opportunity does not only benefit the school, but it betters our community," she stated. "We are looking forward to what the future holds."
Following a performance by the HCI band, Glenn Hepp, chair of the CTRC board, took to the mic.
He called the new facility "a magnificent long-awaited building that is a jewel in the crown of the City of Humboldt."
It is fitting, he added, that this new education centre is opening when the economy of Saskatchewan, and especially this region, is bustling.
CTRC is helping to provide a workforce for that bustling economy. Last year, he said, they graduated 168 full-time students, 146 part-time students, and 628 casual in a wide range of fields.
Malcolm Eaton, Mayor of Humboldt and a staff member of HCI, looked back on the history of the school in the community.
He called the opening "a very historic occasion."
A high school district was first formed in Humboldt in April 1913, Eaton related. In 1945, there were 110 students enrolled. In 1955, a new high school was opened - the same year as the new St. Elizabeth's Hospital opened. At that time, enrolment was at 180 students.
In the 1960s, HCI was expanded, and again in 1972, when enrolment rose to 390 students. That newly renovated school was officially opened in August 1975.
"HCI has always been an important feature of our community," he said.
"Here we are again, at another point, looking back and looking forward.... A community does not get to do this very often - build and open a beautiful brand new education facility that provides both high school and college programs, and build and open it attached to the community's major recreation complex. This is special and somewhat unique.... We should all be very, very proud of this accomplishment, and indeed, very grateful."
Opening this school is a significant part of Humboldt's history in the making, he noted.
HCI is celebrating its 100th anniversary this summer, and as alumni return for the celebrations, "they will no doubt have some regrets about the loss of their old high school, I am sure they will be very impressed with the vision for education, recreation and cultural facilities that has been developed through this project that will serve the community well into the next 100 years."
This project has allowed the city to upgrade the Uniplex, adding on things like a fitness centre, connecting the facilities through a central lobby, and making the arena and curling rink fully wheelchair accessible.
"As our community continues on a path of very significant growth and development over the next several years, we will be well served by having such a modern and attractive facility," he said.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was followed by a blessing performed by Fr. Emile April and Sean Brandow of the Humboldt Ministerial Association.
"May the school contribute to the building of Your kingdom of happiness, light and peace," April concluded.
Thompson had words of thanks for school custodian Tim Wegleitner for going above and beyond his duties in preparing for the move, the students of HCI who helped with the move, and the staff who gave extra time preparing for the move, packing and unpacking.
The ceremony closed with a performance by the HCI choir.
Comments from other partners were made in a media release issued at the opening.
"I am pleased that our government has delivered on this investment for the Building Canada Fund upgrading at the Uniplex," said Lynne Yelich, Minister for Western Economic Diversification. "We recognize the unique infrastructure needs of our communities and support projects that improve their quality of life, and strengthen them by bringing families and friends together."
Rob Norris, Minister of Advanced Education, Employment and Immigration, stated "Our government is supporting Saskatchewan's strong and steady economic growth through infrastructure investments in our province's post-secondary education sector. This new facility will provide students with the training environment and programs they need to enter our growing labour market."
CTRC chief executive officer Bill Cooke stated that "the board and staff of Carlton Trail Regional College are very pleased with their new facility, and look forward to continuing their very positive relationship with the City of Humboldt, Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Division and Horizon School Division. The whole notion of joining together in a common facility makes so much sense, and allows for better achievement of common goals."
