Olds receives funding for starter school
Provincial investment in school infrastructure tops $610 million for 2007/08
Olds… Red Deer Catholic Regional Division is receiving funding for a new starter school in Olds. 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 Red Deer Catholic school board’s top modernization priority and will significantly enhance the learning environment for students attending this school.”
Funding for the new Olds school, a K-9 program, will result in a new core school that will also serve students in neighbouring communities. 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.
“Olds is a high-growth centre and this new starter school will significantly alleviate some of the pressures associated with student capacity in Olds and its surrounding communities,” said Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills MLA Richard Marz.
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.
