Province uses new approach to build 18 new schools
Edmonton... An innovative approach to new school construction by the Alberta Government will result in 18 new schools opening in Edmonton and Calgary by September 2010, the largest Kindergarten to Grade 9 (K-9) schools project undertaken in Canada.
The Public-Private Partnership (P3) pilot project will consolidate the design and construction of the new schools, which will be built on a standard core design to allow for future expansion according to need. The pilot project is based on concepts drawn from governments' experiences at home and abroad.
"The need for new schools across the province continues to grow," said Ron Liepert, Minister of Education. "Government is committed to looking at alternatives that deliver a large number of schools quickly, provide high quality facilities that meet provincial standards, and ensure value for taxpayer dollars."
Education services for students will remain the responsibility of the school boards and use and access to the new schools will be managed like existing schools.
"Student education services will remain the same," said Lloyd Snelgrove, President of Treasury Board. "No matter how we build the schools, they will be owned by the school boards and operated by school boards. The teachers, students and parents will not notice any difference in the quality of the facility or in the delivery of education."
Government will follow a competitive bidding process requiring industry to design and build 18 new schools, which will include financing and major maintenance for repairs such as boiler and roof replacements over a 25- to 30-year span. Custodial and janitorial services will remain the responsibility of school boards.
The project criteria includes K-4, K-6 and K-9 school configurations only, and will focus on school locations in Edmonton and Calgary where the number of schools required is large enough and in close enough proximity for a consolidated approach to be successful. Specific school sites were determined in consultation with the four school boards.
"This is a logical approach to address the immediate school infrastructure needs in Edmonton and Calgary," stated Luke Ouellette, Minister of Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation. "The P3 approach provides good value for taxpayers, and means communities will have quality school facilities to meet their needs."
The new schools will be built to provincial standards and will use a standard design. The permanent core building with essential elements of a school will be complemented by state-of-the-art, steel-framed modular classrooms that can be added to or removed as required. Only new schools are included in the project; no modernizations are being considered at this time.
Investing in Alberta's school infrastructure is one of the actions under Premier Ed Stelmach's plan to manage growth pressures. Other priorities for the government are to govern with integrity and transparency, improve Albertans' quality of life, build a stronger Alberta, and provide safe and secure communities.
Backgrounders
New Schools P3 Consolidation Pilot Project -School Project List
Calgary Board of Education
| Community/School (Grade Structure) | Capacity |
| Saddle Ridge K-4 | 550 |
| Evergreen K-4 | 550 |
| Bridlewood K-6 | 600 |
| Cranston K-4 | 550 |
| Royal Oak K-4 | 550 |
| West Springs K-4 | 550 |
Calgary RCS School District
| Community/School (Grade Structure) | Capacity |
| Evergreen K-6 | 600 |
| Cranston K-9 | 800 |
| Saddle Ridge K-9 | 840 |
Edmonton Catholic School District
| Community/School (Grade Structure) | Capacity |
| Windermere K-9 | 500 |
| Lewis Farms K-9 | 500 |
| Heritage Valley | 500 |
Edmonton Public School Board
| Community/School (Grade Structure) | Capacity |
| Pallisades K-9 | 850 |
| Meadows K-9 | 850 |
| Terwillegar Heights K-9 | 850 |
| The Lake District (Belle Rive) K-9 | 850 |
| Heritage Valleys K-9 | 850 |
| Pilot Sound K-9 | 850 |
Standard core school design natural fit for new school construction
Edmonton... As part of a new approach to school construction, government will use core school designs for K-4, K-6 and K-9 school configurations only and modular classrooms to build 18 new schools in Edmonton and Calgary.
Core schools have a permanent core building with all the essential elements of a school, including a gymnasium, library, administration offices, washrooms, classrooms and special teaching spaces for subjects such as music, art, science, and career and technology studies. Steel-framed modular classrooms are added to and removed from the core building as needed. The core school design allows schools to grow and reduce in size, responding to changes in student enrolment.
The government hired three architectural firms in May 2007 to develop core school designs. Each firm will design one core design and provide two exterior appearance options for the school. This model will be the standard for new schools and will be used by school boards for new school projects across the province.
Features of Core School Design
The standard core school design will provide school boards with significant timesavings and reduce consultant fees for new school construction. The designs provide equitable facilities that meet provincial school standards and guidelines and will support the Alberta curriculum. The designs will also be easily adaptable to different sites across the province.
Features of Modular Classrooms
Modern steel-framed modular classrooms have replaced older wood-structure portables, providing improved durability that can retain its shape during multiple moves. The new modular classrooms are constructed and shipped as a complete 24-foot-wide unit. This means the classrooms do not have joint lines that can shift and misalign, protecting them from unwanted air and moisture. The modular classrooms look like permanent classrooms on the inside, thanks to the use of painted drywall, drop ceiling and oversized windows. Overall, the new generation of modular classrooms was designed for improved health and comfort of students and teachers, and constructed to last 25 years.
