News Release

MIRAMICHI (GNB) – A new $22-million school being built in Miramichi will be named after a person who has left a considerable legacy to the area and New Brunswick.

“The name of the new school on the west side of Miramichi will be Max Aitken Academy,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Brian Kenny. “We received many good suggestions, but we felt Max Aitken had a special significance for the Miramichi area.”

William Maxwell Aitken, who became Lord Beaverbrook, was a prominent Canadian businessman and former chancellor of the University of New Brunswick. His family moved to Newcastle in 1880, making the new school name a fitting tribute to Aitken’s childhood home.

“As a community, we are happy to have this new school,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Fraser. “I am sure the students and staff will be happy to attend Max Aitken Academy.”

Max Aitken Academy is in the final stages of construction with students expected to begin attending the new school in the 2016-17 school year. It is being built on the grounds of Croft Elementary School.

The new school will replace three older schools, Croft Elementary School, Harkins Elementary School and Harkins Middle School, allowing for the consolidation of about 500 students into one new facility.

In 2016-17, the provincial government will invest $108.6 million in school infrastructure projects, including planning for several new schools, as well as ongoing construction projects to build new schools and renovations and additions to existing schools.