Growth in Sylvan Lake has prompted Chinook’s Edge School Division to request a new school in the lakeside town.
In light of the approval of the Grade 7 to Grade 12 school in Penhold, the board of trustees re-adjusted its priorities on its 2013-2016 capital plan this week. A new school in Penhold had been the board’s first priority for several years.
Allan Tarnoczi, associate superintendent, corporate services, said the Penhold school approval has allowed the district to move up the other priorities.
Now the district is looking to Sylvan Lake, where there’s already a space crunch in the elementary schools. A new kindergarten to Grade 8 school in Sylvan Lake would meet the need.
“We’re trying to make sure we are set up for the present to make sure our kids have enough space and for the future,” said Tarnoczi. “That’s a community that is growing.”
As for modernization projects, the district’s first priority is Phase 2 of the John Wilson Elementary School in Innisfail. The district is now working on some of the heating and ventilation systems. Tarnoczi said the district would like to work on some structural and cosmetic changes, including new flooring and upgrading the walls.
The district wants to modernize Elnora School and expand the gymnasium at Spruce View School.
School boards are required by Alberta Education to submit a three-year capital plan of construction and modernization projects every year.
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com