Government invests $20 million to expand and modernize Grande Prairie and area schools
$207 million total province-wide investment in school infrastructure
Grande Prairie... Students in Grande Prairie and area will benefit from a provincial investment of $20 million over three-years to modernize and expand school existing infrastructure, as well as building a new school. This is part of a three-year government commitment to address community growth and student space issues.
"During our centennial, we are also investing in our future by directing emergent infrastructure funding to areas that school districts have identified as their highest priorities," said Education Minister Gene Zwozdesky. "This significant investment in our education system is the first phase of government action toward ensuring our students continue to learn in well-maintained, safe school environments."
"The Alberta Government is pleased to support the construction of new school infrastructure that will respond to the needs of students and communities," said Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. "By building new school infrastructure, the Alberta government is investing today's success into lasting facilities that will support the learning of students and build success and prosperity for future generations."
Funding will go to Peace Wapiti School Division and Grande Prairie Public School District for their top infrastructure priorities. Grande Prairie Public School District will receive an additional $3.5 million to expand student capacity at the new Kindergarten to Grade 9 school to be built in Mission Heights ($8.2 million announced previously). Peace Wapiti will receive $7.2 million to expand and modernize Hythe Elementary School to accommodate junior high students and demolish the Hythe Regional Junior High, which is in poor condition. A new $9.3 million school for Peace Wapiti students will also be built in Clairmont. Construction details will be finalized and jointly determined by the school board and officials from Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation.
"This announcement is welcome news," said Gordon Graydon, MLA for Grande Prairie-Wapiti. "We're ensuring our students are able to learn in a safe, modern environment while also responding to increasing enrolment - news which I know our students, parents and teachers will welcome."
"I am pleased that a new elementary/junior high school will be constructed in the Clairmont community," stated Mel Knight, MLA for Grande Prairie-Smoky. "This school is a good start to alleviating the space pressures we've been feeling, particularly as our region continues to experience exponential growth."
A total of $207 million in first quarter "unanticipated surplus" funding was allocated to Alberta Education for school infrastructure. This new funding is being distributed province-wide for top school infrastructure priorities and to ensure dollars are directed to critical areas. Additional portables/modular classrooms and francophone school infrastructure projects will be announced later this fall. An announcement regarding a special Lethbridge school project will be made next week.
Updated: November 23, 2005
