Representatives from the Province of Manitoba and the Hanover School Division gathered at the Mitchell Middle School to break ground on the new expansion

Having grown up in the Beausejour area, Education Minister Wayne Ewasko says he has been coming to Mitchell to play in various sporting events for nearly 50 years. He notes it has been amazing to witness the community expand and this expansion will help the middle school keep up with that incredible growth. 

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the expansion of the Mitchell 5 to 8 school, to the tune of about $3.6M, 5,400 square feet to make some room for about 100 additional students.” 

HSD Trustee Charmaine Toews addressed the small crowd on behalf of the school board, thanking the province and education minister for recognizing the needs of Mitchell. 

“This groundbreaking symbolizes the investment we are all making in our future generation, the children that will one day serve their community as teachers, construction workers, journalists, doctors, mechanics, bakers, or any number of other ways. An investment in education truly pays dividends for everyone.” 

MLA Kelvin Goertzen spoke very highly of Charmaine Toews, noting he personally witnessed her advocating and lobbying for expansions in Mitchell long before she ever became a school trustee.  

Toews notes she is more than excited to see this work begin. 

"As a parent in this community, my kids have attended Mitchell Elementary School and Mitchell Middle School. It just means a lot to see that the growth is being recognized. There'll be space for all the kids here. I was involved in the parent council here for very many years, so I was always working towards having the needs of the school met, and so this is just a great day to see the building addition actually happening.” 

According to the Hanover School Division and the contractor, the Mitchell Middle School expansion should be completed in early 2024.