A new high school will be under construction in Blackfalds starting in June.
A groundbreaking for the Grade 9 to 12 school for Wolf Creek Public Schools, which will be named Iron Ridge Secondary Campus, was held Friday morning at 5000 Leung Road.
“Families in Blackfalds can begin with Wolf Creek in elementary school and make their way to and through high school in the town they live in, completing their education in their own community,” said Luci Henry, Wolf Creek board chair.
“This new high school is a tremendous opportunity for Wolf Creek and for the community of Blackfalds.”
Blackfalds already has an Iron Ridge elementary and junior campus and students from the junior campus were on hand for the ceremony Friday.
Related:
Contract awarded for construction of new Blackfalds high school
Concert-Bird Partners was awarded the government contract to design, build and finance the Blackfalds school, in addition to four other high schools in Edmonton, Leduc and Langdon. As part of the private-public partnership (P3) contract, Concert-Bird Partners will also maintain the new school facilities for 30 years.
The schools are expected to open in September 2024.
“I am so pleased to see these five new school construction projects moving forward. As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, this investment will create jobs and provide about 7,000 new student spaces in our province,” said Education Minister Adriana LaGrange in a statement.
“More schools in our province mean more opportunities for students to learn in modern, innovative spaces where they can grow into our future leaders.”
According to the provincial government, these P3 projects will save Alberta taxpayers about $100 million.
“This P3 schools project demonstrates the Alberta government’s commitment to attracting private sector investment to the province. We’re saving Alberta taxpayers millions of dollars, providing hundreds of good-paying jobs in local communities and ensuring thousands of Alberta high school students have top-quality schools in which to learn and grow,” said Infrastructure Minister Prasad Panda.
Related:
Blackfalds, Wolf Creek Public Schools affirm partnership
Officials at the groundbreaking included LaGrange, Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr, Lacombe County Deputy Reeve John Ireland, and officials with Concert-Bird Partners.
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter
