The proposed site of a new school to replace Bessborough and Hillcrest Schools in Moncton’s West End has many parents concerned.
Bettina Moores and Jeremy Nelson are two parents from the West End Community School Preservation group who brought the matter to City Council.
The proposed school site is adjacent to Bernice MacNaughton High School which also concerns council.
Councillor Blair Lawrence says besides tearing down many trees, that location is also an important wetland for spring peepers (small frogs).
Councillor Charles Leger says he understands why parents are also worried about children crossing the busy four-lane St. George Boulevard.
“I saw the traffic accident shortly after it happened last week where a young child was hit. You know what – it’s a busy street and certainly would require the city to do a lot of infrastructure improvements to make that much calmer as a boulevard.”
City manager Marc Landry admits the city was recently notified about the proposed school site but was not asked for any input.
In a message for the next provincial government, Mayor Dawn Arnold added the city has excellent urban planning staff and wants to partner with the province as opposed to being told where a new school will be built.
