Moncton High backers pack city hall

Moncton High School supporters filled city council chambers on Monday night, lobbying to keep the 75-year-old facility open as a school.

Education Minister Jody Carr announced last week the provincial government would invest $2 million into the aging facility so students and staff could return in September.

And the Department of Education will build a new high school to replace Moncton High and explore other options for Moncton High starting in 2013.

The possibility that Moncton High will no longer be used as a school is angering many of its supporters.

Moncton High supporter John Staples told city councillors that he doesn't want the school to become an irreversible mistake.

Staples said he and the Heritage Society want to send a strong message to the provincial government that the fight to save Moncton High is not over.

"We want to see something happen there and the something is a restored MHS property and that being a school," Staples said.

Roughly 1,300 students and staff members were displaced in October when the 75-year-old Moncton High School closed due to environmental and safety concerns over the building.

The students are finishing the year at a range of other schools around the city.

Receptive audience

The Moncton High supporters found a receptive audience when they appeared in front of the city council on Monday night.

Mayor George LeBlanc said he understands it's difficult to come to a resolution on the Moncton High controversy.

But LeBlanc, who is a Moncton High graduate, said he agrees with supporters that the school should remain open.

"My personal preference is that Moncton High will remain a high school," LeBlanc said.

"It's a wonderful heritage property. We've lost many heritage properties in Moncton over the years and I think we really need to work hard to keep the ones that we have."

Coun. Kathryne Barnes said the city has no influence over the provincial government to alter the decision, however, she said she agrees with the Moncton High supporters.

"It's going to be very easy to dispose of it to someone who may or may not maintain the integrity of that wonderful, in my opinion wonderful, heritage building," Barnes said on Monday.

But she said city council can provide support for those who want Moncton High to remain a school.