Sep. 22, 2014
The Province is partnering with the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) to build four starter schools with a $30.6 million investment in school infrastructure.
The majority of the funding will be directed towards four starter schools that will be constructed in phases to get students into classes before the entire school is complete.
"The CBE is very pleased to receive this funding and thanks the Province for asking the CBE to submit this request for funding in June as we face significant growth in student population across our city,” said Joy Bowen-Eyre, Chair of the CBE Board of Trustees.
The four starter schools will be located in:
- West Springs/Cougar Ridge
- Saddle Ridge
- Cranston
- Aspen Woods
“These are the top-ranked schools in our capital plan so this funding will help us to address our most pressing student accommodation needs. The CBE looks forward to working with the Province to build these schools as quickly as possible," said Bowen-Eyre.
Funding will also be directed towards modular classrooms for Westgate School to ensure the Spanish program can remain at its current location and for the planning of a new high school in south Calgary.
“Student enrolment is growing right alongside Alberta’s increasing population. Calgary schools alone have a predicted growth of approximately 5,000 students a year, for the next seven years. With a $30.6 million investment in school infrastructure for Calgary, we can build classrooms immediately to address the pressing need,” said Jim Prentice, Premier of Alberta.
The CBE will be working closely with the Alberta Government to plan for these for these new starter schools.
“Administration will need some time to assess what is possible with the funding grant we have been given,” said Frank Coppinger, superintendent facilities and environmental services.
These starter schools will help CBE to address our most pressing needs. They are the top-ranked schools in the capital plan and align with the CBE’s new school priorities.
