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Red Deer Catholic advocates for badly needed new schools

Mar 28, 2018 | 3:35 PM

There’s no immediate help on the way from the province as Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) finds itself in desperate need of new schools.

The 2018 Capital Plan released last week along with the Alberta Budget includes no new school projects for Red Deer.

Officials with RDCRS say that put them in a tough spot as they reviewed their Three Year Capital Plan at Tuesday’s board meeting.

“Each school year we seem to have above average enrollment. Therefore, we look at instructional space needs for the next 10 years, even though Alberta Education only requires three,” explains Board Chair Anne Marie Watson. “Since most of our schools are at or above capacity and the construction of schools takes time, we need to advocate for new schools now.”

Red Deer Catholic has updated its list of top capital priorities. Topping the list is a middle school (grades 6 – 9) as their current middle schools in Red Deer will soon be over the 100 per cent utilization rate. 

Next on the list is a new elementary school as following the addition of three modulars to Father Henri Voisin, officials say there will be no further room for expansion of current elementary schools in Red Deer.

“Father Henri Voisin School is located in a part of Red Deer that is home to many young families. The school has experienced consistent growth since it opened. Last year, it was our fastest growing elementary school in the City of Red Deer, experiencing four per cent growth,” notes Watson.

“[The] school is currently operating at capacity, so the addition of these modulars provides a bit of breathing room for the next couple of years,” she adds.

Rounding out Red Deer Catholic’s top five wish list – a new French immersion school (K – 5) in Red Deer, new elementary (k – 5) in Sylvan Lake, and new elementary (K – 5) in Blackfalds.

Two modular classrooms are also on the way for École Our Lady of The Rosary School in Sylvan Lake, which is currently at 96 per cent capacity. St. Matthew Catholic School in Rocky Mountain House is receiving four new modular while Holy Trinity Catholic School in Olds is receiving two.

When it comes to the modernization of St. Patrick’s Community School, announced last year by the province, RDCRS is working on the validation stage of the project, which involves the construction team putting budget numbers to the scope of work and making adjustments where required. The division is still working on the final details and will proceed with the removal of eight classrooms and the construction of 16 new classrooms, with some modifications to the existing school.