Province invests $9.9 million for upgrading Grasslands Regional Division schools
$207 million total province-wide investment in school infrastructure
Brooks... Students in the Grasslands Regional School Division will benefit from a major investment in school infrastructure to expand and modernize schools in Duchess and Bassano. The province is investing $9.9 million over three-years on these projects.
"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."
"As a longtime supporter of the Bassano and Duchess School modernizations, I am pleased these exciting projects are moving forward to provide enhanced learning facilities for students," said Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation and MLA for Strathmore-Brooks. "By preserving and protecting our infrastructure, the Alberta government is investing in the facilities that will support student learning now and in the future."
Both schools will be upgraded and expanded to address space issues. The Bassano School project will receive $5.5 million in funding, with the remaining $4.4 million being allocated to the Duchess School modernization. Both schools serve Kindergarten to Grade 12 students. Construction details will be finalized and jointly determined by the school board and officials from Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation.
These projects are part of a first phase of ongoing provincial investment in school infrastructure. 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.
