Construction is underway on the new gym on the Innisfail campus.
“That's a great project for the community,” said Allan Tarnoczi, associate superintendant of corporate services for Chinook's Edge School Division.
The gym, which Tarnoczi said will be “state-of-the-art,” is the first phase of a project that will also link École John Wilson Elementary and École Innisfail Middle School, something Tarnoczi said will help students make use of the available facilities.
“We want to make sure everybody gets the chance to make the most out of them,” he said.
Construction on the gym started in May, Tarnoczi said. Passersby can also spot work on the bus loop, which is being redesigned to accommodate the traffic generated by the four schools that use the loop.
“They actually are reconfiguring the bus loop to allow for a better flow for all parents,” he said.
The Innisfail Campus encompasses Chinook's Edge School Division schools École John Wilson Elementary, École Innisfail Middle and École Innisfail Jr./Sr. High schools, as well as St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, a Red Deer Catholic Regional School. In addition to the link between the middle and elementary schools and the new gym, the construction project includes renovation work to accommodate the movement of students as grades are reconfigured, as well as to modernize the space.
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Catholic School is taking over some space from École John Wilson Elementary and will be participating in upgrades to that space.
This fall, grades 5-8 will be at École Innisfail Middle School and the high school will host grades 9-12.
Tarnoczi said the first phase of the project should be completed in December, with the rest of the work following in 2014.
“It's on schedule, it's a complex project and it's moving forward just fine,” Tarnoczi said.
The project is estimated to cost $7 million. The Government of Alberta, Town of Innisfail, Red Deer County and both school districts have all earmarked funds for the construction.
The town and county are involved as the public is supposed to have access to the modernized gym.
“This is really a story about a wide range of groups working together,” Tarnoczi said.
