Science students at The Manning’s School in Westmoreland should be able to carry out their experiments in improved facilities when school resumes in September, as renovation of the 35-year-old laboratory is expected to get underway this week.

The renovation represents the inaugural project of the school’s development foundation and is being financed by Tyre Warehouse — whose principal Sarah-Ann Buddan is a former deputy head girl of Manning’s — and proceeds from the school’s annual curry festival.

Tyre Warehouse has committed an initial $3 million to the project, which will include gutting; re-doing plumbing; electrical works; re-doing gas lines; refinishing of furniture, ceiling, floors, and windows; installation and refinishing of doors; and installation of eye wash stations and fire extinguishers.

Here, chairperson of the foundation Debbie-Ann Gordon Crawford presents a cheque with the proceeds from the festival to school board Chairman Osmond Clarke (second right). Also witnessing the occasion are (from left): foundation representative Phillip Gray, member of the school board Eric Clarke, and school Principal Steve Gordon.