The province is addressing Calgary’s school shortage. On Wednesday, Premier Alison Redford announced plans to build six Calgary Board of Education (CBE) schools and two Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) schools in newer communities throughout the city.
“We made a commitment to build new schools and we’re doing just that,” says Premier Redford. “This is about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about building strong communities so all our kids get the best possible start in life. By investing in schools today, we are investing in ourselves, and our province.”
The schools will be located in the communities of:
- Copperfield (CBE elementary, kindergarten through fourth grade)
- Evanston (CBE elementary, kindergarten through fourth grade)
- New Brighton (CBE elementary, kindergarten through fourth grade)
- Saddle Ridge (CBE middle school)
- Royal Oak (CBE middle school)
- Auburn Bay (CCSD kindergarten through ninth grade)
- Evanston (CCSD kindergarten through ninth grade)
A CBE high school will be erected in the city’s northeast. The specific location was not released in Wednesday’s announcement.
The new schools will accomodate as many as 7,550 students.
“We are thrilled that the province recognizes that education is a priority for Albertans,” says Pat Cochrane, CBE Chair of the Board. “Given the fiscal challenges facing the province, the decision reflects the importance of government places on our children and their education.”
The opening dates for the schools have not been announced but according to the CBE, construction of elementary schools generally takes three years, while recently constructed high schools required four years to build.
