Government announces 14 new schools for Calgary and Edmonton regions

Edmonton... The Alberta government is moving ahead with the planning and construction of 14 new schools that will focus on innovative new design concepts for middle and senior high schools for Calgary and Edmonton regions.  

“These new schools support our 20-year capital plan by building new schools where they are needed most,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “The boost in maintenance dollars will also ensure students have modern, safe school environments across Alberta.”    

The 14 new schools, to be built in Calgary, Edmonton, Okotoks, Langdon, Spruce Grove and Sherwood Park, will have a focus on innovative design that aligns with the evolving needs of today’s learners, as well as the need for flexibility in planning. 

“We are going to take into consideration our experiences and learnings from industry and community responses to our first P3 announcement and take a flexible approach in the planning and delivery of school construction in these new projects and other future initiatives,” said Minister of Education Ron Liepert. “Our government has a responsibility to make sure that any partnership agreements are entered into after careful consideration, and with the best interests of students and taxpayers in mind.” 

Programming options, such as career exploration and preparation for entry into the workplace will be examined during the design phase for the new middle and senior high schools. A number of school jurisdictions have explored the regional skills centre concept to better meet the needs of their high school students and the government will be consulting with the jurisdictions to incorporate this research into the high school design. 

The government will be in contact with the eight school jurisdictions where the new schools will be constructed, and follow a similar planning process as used in the first P3 project. Initial work will begin on core school design concepts for grades 5-9, 9-12 and 10-12 configurations. Elementary school and K-9 designs were completed as part of the June 2007 P3 schools announcement.  

An additional $190 million from the government’s Capital Account will be allocated for 20 school infrastructure projects including upgrading and modernization. This brings the government’s total investment for school modernization and maintenance to more than $610 million for the 2007/08 fiscal year.  

Modernization funding of $190 million will support 20 projects identified by school jurisdictions as high priorities in 18 school jurisdictions and includes the communities of Lethbridge, Millet, Picture Butte, St. Paul, Vilna, Vauxhall, Wainwright, Rainer, Drayton Valley, Whitecourt, Namao, Thorsby, Fort Saskatchewan, Sexsmith, Olds, Fort McMurray, Rainbow Lake and Kinuso.  The next step is for Alberta Education staff to meet immediately with each school board to finalize the scope of the respective modernization projects and determine the allocation of funds.  

Last August, the government announced $197 million to support 26 major modernization projects throughout the province. Including the $190 million, current projects include:

• 102 school projects in planning, design or construction stage
• 13 new schools opening 2007/08
• 45 modular classrooms
• 32 P3 schools

Backgrounder

New Schools for Calgary, Edmonton and surrounding regions

Calgary Board of Education

School Infrastructure Investment of $190 million

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