Students from Bethlehem Catholic High School will temporarily attend classes at Shaw Centre following a fire that damaged classrooms earlier this month. In a news release sent Thursday afternoon, the City of Saskatoon said council approved a facility-use agreement with Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools to provide classroom space at Shaw Centre. Firefighters were called to the school at 110 Bowlt Crescent at about 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 7. Saskatoon police said the fire was believed to be suspicious. According to the city, the blaze caused fire, smoke and water damage to the school’s attached relocatable classrooms, as well as smoke and water damage in portions of the main school. The school previously said 26 portable classrooms were damaged in the fire and will not be available this fall. In a letter sent to families, the school said they will begin the school year on time on Sept. 2, but the students will follow a temporary split-day schedule. Under the agreement with City of Saskatoon, designated meeting rooms and multi-purpose space at Shaw Centre will be used as temporary classrooms from Aug. 31 to Dec. 31. The agreement could be extended through the end of the 2026-27 school year if both parties agree. The city says the use of space at Shaw Centre for classrooms will affect some fall drop-in recreation programs and room rentals. Some programs will move to Cosmo Civic Centre, while others will be rescheduled at Shaw Centre.
