A new elementary school in Blackfalds tops the capital wish list for Wolf Creek Public Schools.
The board of the trustees did not sway too much from its past capital plans when adopting its 2013-2015 capital and modernization project list last week.
The board identified four top priorities within the division of 33 urban and rural schools.
Board chairperson Trudy Bratland said a kindergarten to Grade 6 elementary school is desperately needed in Blackfalds within the next few years because the division’s two schools in Blackfalds are nearing capacity.
“Blackfalds is growing at such a rapid rate,” said Bratland.
“Our schools are full and we are going to need space for those K-6 kids soon. We’re projecting between 2011 and 2016, the schools will increase by about 102 students. That’s 16 per cent. Our schools are almost at capacity now there.”
The project has been on the board’s priority list for several years, much like the three modernization projects identified as top priorities for the district, including Rimbey Junior Senior High School, Iron Ridge Elementary Campus in Blackfalds and Bentley High School.
School boards must submit capital plans annually to Alberta Education. Red Deer Public School District identified a new elementary school and the Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools identified a new high school as their top priorities this year.
“It’s a waiting game,” said Bratland.
“Hopefully these things will come to pass. I know there’s a lot of areas that schools are in community centres and Legions, so I guess it’s a pressing issue throughout Alberta. There hasn’t been a lot of modernizing and building. I guess we need to catch up.”
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com