Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Celebrates the Official Opening of Northern Lakes K-12 school in Atikokan.
On Wednesday, October 25, 2023, school and Board staff, students, local dignitaries and members of the Atikokan community celebrated the Northern Lakes K-12 School with a ribbon cutting ceremony and school tour. This milestone occasion marks the completion of a $26 million project, funded by the Ontario government.
The Rainy River District School Board of Trustees awarded the construction contract for the Atikokan K-12 School, Childcare and EarlyON Child and Family Centre to Finn Way General Contractor Inc in November 2020, after receiving an investment from the province for this new consolidated school at the Atikokan High School site.
Thunder Bay-Atikokan MPP Kevin Holland, who attended the official opening, stated, “Since 2018, our government has demonstrated its unwavering support for education. We have invested over $1.5 billion in capital projects within the education sector. We understand that a well-funded education system is crucial in ensuring student success and overall well being. Our dedication to educating our children will remain unwavering, we will continue to provide the resources, facilities, and support that our students need to succeed. Northern Lakes School is a testament to our vision, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact we have in the lives of these students.”
Rainy River District School Board Chair, Jeff Lehman also celebrated the new school’s official opening: “Initially there was a lot of discussion, a lot of angst about the impact of creating a K-12 school, and locally we managed through that. And today we can look around and see how successful this has been at a local level. A new school, to echo MPP Holland’s words, is really the hub of a community. It brings the whole community together and we are a small rural town that needs this kind of facility to continue to thrive for the next 50 to 100 years.”
September 2023 saw the new school open its doors to staff and students. Heather Campbell, RRDSB Director of Education, said that a milestone was reached in Atikokan. “We are excited to mark the official opening of the Northern Lakes K-12 School and are so proud to provide a modern, fully accessible teaching and learning environment for our staff and students.”
Student ambassadors Rylan Strom (G-12), Carson Strom (G-6), Arina Shyshko (G-12), Oleksandra Shyshko (G-3), Reese Kehl (G- 10) and Milo Skrenski (G-6) provided a short tour of the school and shared the following unique aspects and features of the school:
• The old high school auto shop was renovated into a multi-use auto shop.
• Grade 7-12 students moved in in September 2022 when the majority of the high school spaces were complete.
• Bright and modern technological education areas for students and staff to enjoy
• The second gym’s roof was raised by 6 feet to meet competition standards
• The brand new play equipment was only recently delivered and installed and the younger students are loving the new structure, swings and slides.
Media Contact: Heather Campbell, Director of Education, Rainy River District School Board (807) 274-9855
Reference: Mia Sexton, Community Outreach, Rainy River District School Board (807) 274-9855.
Mission: “Together, we empower all students to believe in themselves, to achieve, and to dream.”
Vision: “The Rainy River District School Board is an innovative community, nurturing hearts and minds,
to build a foundation for tomorrow, today.”
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