Tisdale Centennial Junior High is a unique school and the first of its particular kind in the province, C. D. Peters, chief superintendent of schools for the Province of Saskatchewan, told those present at the opening of the new building the [evening of Jan. 24, 1968].
Offering the congratulations of the Minister of Education and his department, the speaker said people here have shown they are willing to break new ground and test new techniques in the field of education. The forward planning of the residents of this area has provided the advantages of facilities conducive to the development of the fullest potential of the child, he said. The color scheme and the general de-sign of the new building are indicative of the kind of things we expect from a school of this type, he concluded.
The opening program was held in the gymnasium of the new school, with local board chairman Ike Vickar as master of ceremonies. The new building has been in use since the beginning of the fall school term last September.
Bill Woolard, trustee for Sub-Unit Eight which includes the Town of Tisdale, gave a overview of the planning and financing that was involved in the new building.
Also addressing those present were Harry Stensrud, chairman of the Tisdale School Unit board; Mayor Rankin Hodgins of the Town of Tisdale; H. Larson of Black, Larson, McMillan and Partners, the architects of the new building; and A. Schentag of Schentag Construction, general contractors for the job.
Following the program a guided tour of the new school was conducted. Refreshments were served by members of the Students' Representative Council.
When bids were opened in October of 1966, Schentag Construction’s bid of $566,616 [about $3.9 million in 2017 dollars] was the lowest of four received.
The extremities of the new school measures 300 feet by 148 feet. It is of irregular design. Located near the intersection of 105th Avenue and 95th Street will accommodate about 360 pupils. It is built on a slab on piers. It contains 12 basic classrooms, a library, arts and science rooms and a gymnasium. The use of multiple forced air heating units will also give a measure of air conditioning during summer months.
