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Grand opening celebrates 60 years of Duclos history

The best part of the new renovations at Duclos School, according to principal Richard Cameron, is part of the old building was maintained and restored, so its history can live on in the newly modernized and renovated building.
Principal Richard Cameron explains the history of Duclos School to gathered students, parents, and honoured guests during a grand opening celebration held inside the
Principal Richard Cameron explains the history of Duclos School to gathered students, parents, and honoured guests during a grand opening celebration held inside the school’s gymnasium last week. The newly modernized school has been a big part of Bonnyville’s history over the past 60 years.

The best part of the new renovations at Duclos School, according to principal Richard Cameron, is part of the old building was maintained and restored, so its history can live on in the newly modernized and renovated building.

Students and staff of Duclos School welcomed Northern Lights School Division (NLSD) maintenance crews, school board trustees and administration, and families to the school to celebrate the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the renovated west wing of the school early last week.

The renovations include both modernizations inside and outside of the west wing, as well as newly landscaped grounds, a parent drive through lane, and additional parking. Six classrooms were added, as well as a parent waiting area, space for special programs, a kitchen, and new washrooms.

“Boys and girls,” Cameron said at a special assembly to celebrate the renovations, “You're going to have extra space as you go through Duclos in the next few years. We've got a great school for all of you to live and learn in.”

He explained the history of the school, telling the students about Reverend Duclos who came to Bonnyville in 1916, intending to build a hospital, church, and a school. Classes were first held in the hospital at the original Duclos Mission site, and some students attended Edmonton public schools, separated from their families.

The first Duclos School was built in 1928 at the mission site, and buildings from that time period still remain standing, he said.

That school remained in use for 30 years, and classes were taught by H. E. Bourgoin, who would later have a school in Bonnyville named after him.

As school buses became more common and Bonnyville and surrounding areas continued to grow, a new space was needed, Cameron explained. A new Duclos School was built on its current site, and was completed in 1954, with additions and expansions being constructed in 1958, 1959, and 1962. It was originally a Grade 1-12 school, and when Bonnyville Centralized High School was built in the early 1970s, Duclos became a Kindergarten to Grade 9 school.

A new building was constructed to keep up with population growth in 1993 and attached to the old school, and Duclos became an elementary school in 1995.

The newest addition was constructed in 2002.

Over the course of this past summer, most of the 1954 portion of the school was demolished.

Construction crews worked long and hard to ensure all the renovations could be completed to start this new school year, said Cameron.

“Thanks to Mr. Wayne Kurek (director of facilities for NLSD) and all the maintenance staff,” Cameron said. “We were amazed at how caring and considerate, meticulous and thorough they were throughout the process. The work was done and it's great that it was ready for us on the first day of school.”

Most importantly, he said, “we get to keep part of the Duclos history and see it live on as the old school. The part that we kept, was made new again.

“The old school was an important part of Bonnyville's history for almost 60 years, but what's important is the old school lives on, as part of it was restored and modernized, both inside and out. This section of the old building will live on as part of our new Duclos School, and Duclos will live on in the students, the staff, and the families that learn and live and work in our school and make this school and community great.”

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