Starter schools announcement is welcome news
Capacity relief for communities
Home buyers with children have a new opportunity in four suburban communities in the city.
The provincial government announced new schools are headed for two communities in the southwest and one each in northeast and southeast Calgary.
Aspen Woods and West Springs along with Cougar Ridge, Cranston and Saddle Ridge are slated for starter schools, which means they’ll be constructed in phases.
“Starter schools allow us to open classrooms more quickly, while continuing to add space for future enrolment,” says Minister of Education Gordon Dirks.
“We will continue to work with all Alberta school jurisdictions to help address infrastructure needs in other high-growth areas.”
The additional classroom space should make a difference for house hunters with school aged children, says home builders. “In Aspen Woods Estates we have mostly young families, with very young children, moving into the community,” says Myrna Schilling, area sales manager for Truman Homes in the community.
“Many clients mention that their motivation for moving into this particular community is the amount of young families with children already living in the area.”
She says considerations for buyers include proximity to downtown, transit, and amenities such as shops and services, but schools are key.
“Our clients want their children to grow up in an area that has a sense of community and have commonality with other families in the area,” Schilling says.
“Schools are a major factor, in clients choosing this area over another community in Calgary.
“The current problem in Aspen Woods Estates is the schools are at capacity and parents want their children to go to a school close to where they live. Therefore, the new schools that will be built in the community are a relief to many parents.”
The announcement will also add to the appeal in Cranston, says Jodi Hodgson. He’s the area sales manager for Baywest Homes in Riverstone of Cranston.
“It’s extremely important,” says Hodgson. “We have two schools here in Cranston already which are over capacity. Having kids in their own area and not being bused on Deerfoot, it hits a whole bunch of things. It’s security and the kids next door are going to the same school. It increases that sense of community so much more.”