Alberta government commits to fast-tracking delivery of new schools, upgrades

The province has pledged funding to fast-track the delivery of 11 school projects across Alberta.

Previously announced projects in 10 communities will move forward to either design or construction, depending on how far along they are.

Two school projects in Calgary are receiving funding. A new high school in west Calgary will move ahead to construction, while the Bishop McNally High School modernization and addition project will move to the design stage.

Funding will also go to modernizing or building new schools in Coalhurst, Donnelly, Falher, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie County, Lac La Biche, Red Deer, Strathmore and Wetaskiwin, according to Wednesday's announcement.

Together, the 11 school projects are expected to create 8,000 new and updated student spaces.

Funding for the new schools is coming through Alberta's School Construction Accelerator Program — an $8.6-billion plan to add 200,000 student spaces by the fall of 2031.

"We are building more schools at a faster rate never before seen in Alberta," said Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides in a news release.

"Through this innovative approach to building more schools now, backed by our generational investment of $8.6 billion to build more than 100 schools across the province, we will ensure every student in Alberta has the space to engage in the province's world-class education system."

The province also announced on Wednesday that it was investing $50 million to provide modular classrooms to 19 school boards.

That money will go toward building 50 modular classrooms and relocating 19 others to provide space for 1,650 students. 

Some of those modular classrooms will be installed before the new school year begins in the fall. Others will be ready for use by the 2025-26 school year.

The Alberta government said in March that student enrolment in Alberta has grown by about 89,000 since 2020.

Enrolment in the Golden Hills School District, which has schools in Drumheller, Strathmore and other communities north and east of Calgary, grew from 8,655 during the 2020-21 school year to 12,455 during the 2023-24 school year, according to its annual education results reports.

Funding for one school project in the district was included in Wednesday's announcement.

"Golden Hills School Division extends its appreciation to the Government of Alberta for the approval of a new school to replace Westmount School in Strathmore," said division board chair Laurie Huntley.

"This new school will further support our vision of creating dynamic spaces that inspire curiosity, creativity and a strong sense of community."

Up to 90 new schools will be built and up to 24 will be renovated or replaced through the School Construction Accelerator Program.

Since the program was announced last fall, the province has committed funding for 33 school projects.