Iron Ridge Secondary Campus under construction. (Wolf Creek Public Schools)

By rdnewsNOW staff

like waiting to open a christmas present

Construction of new Blackfalds high school coming along nicely

Jan 19, 2024 | 10:45 AM

Wolf Creek Public Schools’ newest high school, that being the first for Blackfalds, is coming into final view.

Iron Ridge Secondary Campus is slated to open September 2024.

“Everything’s on track. The entire exterior is finished and now they’re working on the inside,” says Ed Coles, the school’s inaugural principal. “The best analogy I have is that it’s like waiting to open your Christmas presents. It’s just sitting there waiting for us and it’s super exciting.”

In recent budget deliberations, Blackfalds town council approved money to fund the construction of a football field at the school. Approved by the Town was $425,000, plus $75,000 from Lacombe County, to regrade and seed the field, plus install goal posts and a score clock. If budget allows, irrigation and spectator seating could also be considered.

Coles says football has a larger startup cost than all other sports, thus they’re seeking sponsors.

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Meantime, the division is allowing Grade 10 and 11 students at Lacombe Composite the opportunity to come over to Iron Ridge to complete high school. Commitment forms are currently out for families to submit.

Additionally, the school will have membership in the Central Alberta Collegiate Institute, meaning there will be plenty of dual-credit and internship opportunities for students who can finish high school with college credits in their back pocket.

This week, the division announced Kayley Bowie will join the leadership team as assistant (vice)-principal. She joins Coles, who was announced as principal in February 2023.

The division notes Bowie has been teaching at Eckville Jr. Sr. High School since 2019, and has prior teaching experience in the U.K.

“I am honoured and excited to be part of the Iron Ridge Secondary Campus team,” Bowie says. “The opportunity to contribute to the establishment of a new school is a rare privilege, and I am eager to collaborate with staff, parents, and the wider community to create an environment that contributes to the success of all students.”

The school is anticipated to have about 350 students when it opens, but has capacity for 1,000. As the student body grows, more assistant principals will be hired.

As well, a school mascot has been decided after a naming contest among Iron Ridge Jr. students, and will be unveiled at some point in the near future.

For future updates about the school, follow their video series on Facebook.