Construction of two schools to start in fall
Catholic and public K-9 facilities in Win der mer ekes wick to proceed
As part of its bid to create jobs and stimulate Alberta’s economy, the UCP government is accelerating construction of five new schools in the province, two of which are in the Windermere-keswick community of southwest Edmonton.
Ground will break in September on the K-9 schools, one public and one Catholic, in anticipation of a projected combined enrolment of 1,900 students for the 2022-23 school year.
Confident the community would make the grade for future schools, developers had reserved two school sites in the middle of the Keswick neighbourhood linked by a network of trails.
The public school site is adjacent to the Arbours of Keswick Estates, a Rohit Land Development community. The Catholic site is adjacent to One at Keswick, a development by Beaverbrook Communities. Both are accessible from Hiller Road.
Jodie Wacko, Beaverbrook president of communities and commercial, says they are ecstatic with the government’s decision to move the projected start date ahead.
The UCP had shortlisted both schools with its announcement last November, with no firm timeline other than a projected open date of fall 2023.
“Many years ago, we had redesigned the entire area to incorporate a unique layout that allowed us to have two schools, each at the end of a linear parkway linked by a storm pond. We’re now seeing these schools come to fruition and it excites us because it builds on our commitment to our customers and to our residents to have a complete community,” he says.
With 400 households living in the community and another 400 to 500 expected, Wacko says that schools within walking distance in the community are important.
Marty Pawlina, Rohit marketing manager, says beefing up the province’s infrastructure and creating jobs, plus the announcement of a firm construction date for the schools was a great move by the government. He says it’s more positive news for a community which is already busy with development. A new church broke ground in
March and a commercial centre will follow in June.
“There’s significant development and momentum happening right now in the southwest. It’s the most active sector of Edmonton.”
Pawlina hopes a future high school in the Heritage Valley district will receive funding in the next few years, but for now, facilities for K-9 students in both Edmonton systems is the most urgent need for Keswick.
The bidding process for each school is scheduled to begin April 30.