CARSTAIRS - Carstairs Elementary School is one of four provincial schools set to receive an addition, the province announced Nov. 1.
The K-2 school is located at 1404 Scarlett Ranch Blvd. on Carstairs’ south side.
The project involves 10 additional classroom spaces to accommodate 250 students. As well, it will involve an enlargement of the existing gym, the parking lot and bus loop.
“This is very welcome news and the board is pleased the government has recognized the need for additional learning spaces in Carstairs,” said board chair Allan Tarnozci. “Our schools are at 100 per cent capacity in the community of Carstairs, which is why this is our top capital priority.”
The next steps in the process will involve design, then the starting of the tender process, followed by construction, he said.
The province announced a total of 25 projects totalling $397 million, including 15 new schools, modernizations and additions. The Carstairs school is the only one in Chinook’s Edge School Division on the list.
“We made a promise to Albertans that our government will continue to build new schools and we are doing exactly that,” said Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange. “Through our significant investment in new schools, replacements, modernizations and infrastructure upkeep, our children will continue to learn in up-to-date and safe spaces.
“This will result in better success in our classrooms. The future is bright for Alberta students.”
She noted that the recently-released budget 2019 also includes $1.4 billion over four years to continue work on previously announced school projects across Alberta, which includes $123 million for about 250 new modular classrooms to address the need for additional space across the province.
Prasad Panda, minister of infrastructure, added: “These 25 projects confirm our government’s commitment to continue to build schools across the province. Alberta Infrastructure will continue to deliver key infrastructure projects to build a prosperity for Albertans.”
Also under the 2019 budget, the province will provide $527 million to school divisions for plant operations and maintenance to support the day-to-day upkeep of school facilities. Additionally, $194 million will be made available for the capital maintenance and renewal of existing school buildings through the Infrastructure Maintenance and Renewal Program.
