In a rather unexpected announcement from the provincial government on Wednesday, Shediac Cape will be getting a new kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school.

The province said it will invest $110.24 million during the 2023-24 fiscal year to support the public education system.

“Seeing a new school for Shediac Cape on the list may come as a surprise to some, as it is not a project that had previously been identified as a priority,” said education minister Bill Hogan.

“Currently with a rapidly growing population, Shediac Cape School is overcapacity by 50 per cent. Construction of a new school is necessary to address this significant space deficiency,” he noted.

“Replacing the kindergarten-to-Grade 8 school with a kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school will also help alleviate enrolment pressures on Moncton area high schools, where students from Shediac Cape currently attend.”

The education funding includes $5.5 million for three new projects and $13.1 million for the provincewide ventilation program.

In addition, $91.64 million will go towards ongoing construction projects, equipment, improvements, repairs and the dust collector program to ensure schools remain safe.