Monday marked the official opening of St. Nicholas School, the first Catholic elementary school to open in northwest Regina in 30 years.

“I would like to congratulate Regina Catholic School Division and the community of St. Nicholas School on their official grand opening. Our government is pleased that students are now enjoying this terrific new school that provides more opportunities for Catholic education in northwest Regina,” MLA Laura Ross said on behalf of Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre in a news release.

“St. Nicholas School accommodates the unprecedented growth taking place in this area of the city and will alleviate enrolment pressure for nearby schools like St. Bernadette and École St. Angela.”

The school shares space in a joint-use facility with the public Plainsview School, which held its grand opening earlier this month.

“We have state of the art facilities to aid in student learning,” said St. Nicholas School principal James Wahl.

“Having been part of the building process since last May, I have tried to explain the schools to others, but I have never been able to do them justice. Only in seeing, can people truly understand how advanced they are. On behalf of the families of St. Nicholas, I say thank you.”

The facility is one of 18 joint-use schools being built through public-private partnership in Regina, Saskatoon, Martensville and Warman. Each joint-use school also contains a 90-space child-care centre, as well as community space.