Sexsmith’s St. Mary’s School receives modernization funding
Provincial investment in school infrastructure tops $610 million for 2007/08
Sexsmith… Grande Prairie Roman Catholic Separate School District is receiving funding to replace St. Mary’s School in Sexsmith. This is part of a $190-million investment from the government’s Capital Account that will support 20 school infrastructure projects across Alberta and the purchase of 20 new steel-framed modular classrooms.
“The Alberta government is committed to the health and safety of students,” said Minister of Education Ron Liepert. “This investment supports the Grande Prairie Catholic school board’s top modernization priority and will significantly enhance the learning environment for students attending this school.”
The K-9 St. Mary’s School will receive funding that will result in a new core school and the addition of Career and Technology Studies programming. The next step is for Alberta Education staff to meet immediately with the local school board to finalize the scope of the project and determine the allocation of appropriate funding.
“The St. Mary’s School community in Sexsmith will be thrilled with this government’s commitment to a replacement school that will better serve the needs of students,” said Grande Prairie-Smoky MLA Mel Knight.
Last August, the government announced $197 million to support 26 major modernization projects throughout the province, bringing investment in new school infrastructure, as well as modernization and maintenance, to more than $610 million for the 2007/08 fiscal year. Including the $190 million, current projects include:
- 102 school projects in planning, design or construction stage
- 13 new schools opening 2007/08
- 45 modular classrooms
- 32 P3 schools
“This funding announcement supports the government’s first ever 20-Year Strategic Capital Plan,” stated Gene Zwozdesky, Associate Minister of Capital Planning and author of the plan. “Foremost, it is a blueprint to guide decisions about schools and other infrastructure projects that benefit Albertans.”
The long-term capital plan and strengthening our education system are part of Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to secure Alberta’s future by building communities, greening our growth and creating opportunity.
