The new high school in Penhold got a second “groundbreaking” ceremony – this time on home turf.
Dignitaries and future students gathered in the gymnasium at the Penhold Regional Multiplex on Nov. 2 to celebrate that work has begun on the site, which is slated to open in September 2014. The new school will be attached to the multiplex and the contractors were announced at a recent ceremony in Red Deer.
“We are very excited to be the first grad class in 2015,” said current River Glen student Nicole Thomson, who is in Grade 10.
Ron Fisher, vice-chair of Chinook's Edge School Division board of trustees, said the multiplex was a “big factor” in deciding on Penhold as the location for the new school.
“I'm really amazed at what you have here,” he said.
Penhold Mayor Dennis Cooper acknowledged members of past and the present sitting council for their hard work in bringing about the school, as well as the community effort.
“It was love and it was created with love and hard work by our community,” he said. “This is going to be a state of the art school.”
Innisfail-Sylvan Lake MLA Kerry Towle made sure to take no credit for herself, instead noting Luke Ouellette, who Towle ousted in the spring election, had lobbied for the school to go to Penhold.
“Your previous MLA worked hard … and I think that credit should go where it was due,” she said.
Kurt Sacher, superintendent of schools for CESD and Red Deer North MLA Mary Anne Jablonski also addressed the crowd, which included students, local principals and vice-principals, council members and others.
Students from Penhold School, Jessie Duncan and River Glen joined the dignitaries in unveiling a sign as the climax of the ceremony.
