Students in Catholic schools across Renfrew County got a fresh start in more ways than one when they returned to class Tuesday.

Not only did students start a new school year, but many of them will found themselves in remodelled and upgraded surroundings.

The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board completed $1.8 million in renovation projects this summer to modernize its schools and to improve safety features, as well as to achieve energy savings and cost efficiencies, board chairman Bob Schreader told his colleagues at the August board meeting.

Bishop Smith Catholic High School in Pembroke underwent the largest renovation project. The school’s exterior main entrance was remodelled and updated, while the interior foyer was redesigned to increase functionality and provide more space for administration offices and student services. Work was also completed to improve the school’s water services.

Meanwhile, the Valleycrest Program moved to a new home at Holy Name Catholic School in Pembroke.

At St. Joseph’s Catholic High School in Renfrew, a new therapy room was constructed.

Both St. Andrew’s Catholic School in Killaloe and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School in Renfrew received upgrades to their school yards and resurfacing of the schools’ paved areas. New interior lighting was also installed at St. Andrew’s.

Several projects were completed at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School in Renfrew, including repairs to two sections of the roof and installation of new lighting, as well as classroom renovations to accommodate the school’s new full-day, every-day early learning kindergarten program. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Pembroke also underwent renovations to accommodate its new full-day, every-day early learning kindergarten program.

St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Calabogie had two sections of its roof repaired as well as some exterior paint work.

Other school upgrades included installation of an intercom system at St. Andrew’s in Killaloe, new lighting and a shade structure installed at St. John Bosco Catholic School in Barry’s Bay, elevator refurbishment at St. James Catholic School in Eganville and lighting upgrades at Holy Name School in Pembroke.

Final preparations were completed for the opening of the new St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School in Petawawa.

“The renovation projects support that part of ‘Our Vision’ that speaks to safe school environments characterized by warmth, hospitality, good humour and joy,” noted director of education Michele Arbour. “We welcome our students to learning environments that have been improved and refreshed. It’s a very positive way to begin the 2012-2013 school year.”