On the inside, École de la Forêt in Gatineau's Aylmer sector is a brand new elementary school designed for high-tech learning. It has gleaming floors and bright, spacious classrooms ready to welcome students for the first time later this week.

There's one problem — the outside of the school is still a construction site, complete with rubble and machinery.

The new, $16-million building at 219 Bois-Franc Ave. was slated to be completed in time for the start of the school year on Thursday, but there's at least a month's worth of construction left to do on the school's brick exterior, gymnasium and surround grounds.

Som parents say they're concerned about safety and access to the school grounds for recess and athletic activities.

"I'm really worried about the security of my kids, when the work will be finished and if they will have the possibility to play outside," said Andrée Gilles, whose 10-year-old son Cédric will attend the school.

Gilles is worried about about the dangers of going to school when there is still ongoing construction. (CBC News)

Work to be completed after hours, on weekends

Officials with Commission scolaire des portages-de-l'Outaouais (CSPO) held a meeting Tuesday to reassure parents that major construction would not take place while the students are at school.

"There is work that needs to be done, but no big machinery will be operated while children are there," said CSPO President Johanne Légaré.

"All the major work will be done after school or on the weekends."

CSPO held a conference on Monday to reassure parents there is no safety issue for children at the school. (Sandra Abma/CBC News)

Légaré said the school's phys-ed teachers have devised a plan to keep the kids active, and that some activities would be moved to a nearby municipal park.

"Children will be able to go outside and play at recess," said Légaré.

Outside École de la Forêt, a number of parents strolling by said they were excited about starting in the brand new facility, and would take any inconvenience in stride.

"It's a beautiful building," said Véronique Chénier, whose five-year-old son will start his schooling Thursday.