Marco Services Ltd. will be taking on the task of replacing Gander Academy by 2021.

Government awarded the contract valued at just under $19-million ($18,986,000) to Marco, to build the new primary school.

The new school will be a 68-thousand (68,716) square foot, single-story building, built on the site of the current Gander Academy, accommodating around 540 students.

The contract includes the construction of 29 classrooms, a library, music rooms, admin area, cafeteria and kitchen; as well as the renovation of the existing gym for connection to the new building, redevelopment of the parking lot and the demolition of the existing building.

Construction will start in 2019 is expected to wrap up in spring 2021.

The original Gander Academy was constructed in 1957 with an extension built in 1971, and a new gym added in 1990.