The Chinook’s Edge public school division is looking at three potential sites to build a replacement for River Glen School in Red Deer.
The school division’s first priority is to build a school southwest of Red Deer.
River Glen’s replacement would have a capacity of 500 students in Grades 7 to 12, superintendent Jim Gibbons said after a board meeting on Wednesday.
A request had been received from the Town of Penhold to consider placing a high school in its Multiplex building, nearing completion at the northeast corner of town.
Also being considered are potential sites in Liberty Park behind Gasoline Alley and in the hamlet of Springbrook, said Gibbons.
Ultimately, the final decision will rest with Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure, he said.
But before any sites can be considered, the board and the province have to look at results from two studies that are underway, said Gibbons.
First is the Red Deer Regional Planning Study, undertaken by the province to look at the needs of public and Catholic schools for the region.
Second is a more specific project, just underway, that looks at needs for public, Catholic and Francophone schools in Innisfail, said Gibbons.
Chinook’s Edge and the Red Deer Catholic Board of Education met Wednesday to discuss their needs in Innisfail, he said.
Over the next few days, committees will take a closer look at issues involving the two schools divisions. They include seeking an alternative to the elementary classroom space Chinook’s Edge is providing to the Catholic schools
No decisions will be made until reports from both studies have been completed and reviewed by everyone involved, including the school boards and government departments, said Gibbons.
bkossowan@www.reddeeradvocate.com