Private-public partnership delivers five new Alberta schools

A private-public partnership between the provincial government and the construction consortium Concert-Bird Partners, have finished the work on five new schools, including Langdon’s Horseshoe Crossing, that are scheduled to open to students in the fall. 

The private-public partnership, called P3 schools, have delivered 45 schools across the province since 2008, saving the Alberta government $360 million. 

The newest set of five P3 schools include Horseshoe Crossing in Langdon, two schools in Edmonton, one in Blackfalds, and another in Leduc, were built by Concert-Bird Partners after the company was awarded a $300 million contract from the provincial government.  

According to the Province, the latest P3 build saved the government $114.5 million. In its press release, the provincial government claimed the private-public partnership of the P3 schools saves money because it “creates efficiencies in the construction process and saves when buying materials in bulk.”

“These savings are based on the cost compared to deliver the high schools using other methods,” reads a government press release. “This P3 project also injected millions of dollars into these local communities and supported about 1,700 construction-related jobs.”

“Alberta’s government is committed to building the school infrastructure students across the province need,” said Infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie. “P3 builds represent our commitment to ensuring schools are built, and Alberta taxpayers get the best value for their investment. I cannot wait for students to enjoy their new spaces.”

Langdon’s P3 school, Horseshoe Crossing, will see students walk through its doors in the fall. The addition of that high school will lessen the population burden of Chestermere High School and will most likely keep many junior high age students in Langdon.

“We are building schools in Alberta’s fastest growing communities,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, the provincial minister of Education. “These new schools will create more than 6,900 spaces for students to get the most out of their education, make life-long friends and discover their passions.” 

Already the government has put up a contract for the next set of P3 schools, a group of seven that will include a K-8 school in southwest Airdrie, a K-5 school in Blackfalds, a K-9 in Calgary, Chestermere, Okotoks, and Edmonton, and a 7-12 in Edmonton.

The Province is currently in the process of finalizing the contract bid for the group of seven P3 schools with a private partner. According to the Province, the partnership with a private builder will be finalized by early 2025 with construction on the new schools slated to begin in the summer.