Chinook’s Edge approves capital plan until 2026

With an increasing population and the addition of students from Liberty Landing, a new residential development in Red Deer within Penhold School boundaries, the total utilization rate for all three schools in the community, according to officials, has already reached 100 per cent.

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Within two years, the utilization rate for the Penhold Crossing Secondary School for Grades 7-12 is expected to reach 50 per cent over the maximum number of students that can be accommodated satisfactorily.

While Associate Superintendent Corporate Services Shawn Russell admits the capital plan has not changed much from the previous one, he is pleased to see the Penhold plans move one step further with the provincial government’s funding announcement earlier this month for the design phase.

READ: Design funding announced for replacement of Penhold Elementary School

“We’re hopeful to receive that construction money next year so once that happens then there would be some adjustments to what is the number one priority,” said Russell.

Sylvan Lake is also at the top of the list, Russell says, being one of the fastest growing towns in Alberta.

École H.J. Cody School is the only high school in the town receiving just minor renovations in 1997 to its original structure. Sylvan Lake Career High School also moved into the building, increasing the enrollment by 100 students.

Upon creation of a new high school for Grades 10-12, the École H.J. Cody School would then be for Grades 6-9, alongside reconfigurations to other schools.

“The new high school in Sylvan Lake continues to be a high priority for our board,” said Russell. “Because of the growth in Sylvan Lake that we’ve seen, we’ve had a new school in Beacon Hill built there. We’re seeing a continued expansion and high growth and we want a high school that can meet the needs of the current but also the future population.”

Chinook’s Edge is one of the largest school divisions in Alberta, serving over 11,000 students in 40 central Alberta schools between Calgary and Red Deer.

The Board’s next meeting will take place Apr. 6.

READ: Red Deer Public trustees identify top capital priorities