Danielle Smith announces new school in Brooks to replace 70-year-old junior high
Premier Danilelle Smith provided details Friday morning on a new school to replace the existing Brooks Junior High School, which has been in service since 1953.
Smith, the MLA for BrooksMedicine Hat, made the announcement inside the current junior high school while students were away on spring break.
The premier says the province is funding a new school at the same site to replace the current junior high, which has a total student capacity of 663 students.
“Our funding for this school signifies our government’s commitment to provide worldclass education for all of our children,” said Smith.
The replacement school was approved for design funding in the 2023 budget and advanced to full construction funding in the 2024 budget.
“Brooks Junior High is the school at the top of the priority list for the Grasslands
School Division,” said Smith. “This is welcome news not only for the school board, but also for staff, students and their families.”
The next step is for the project to be tendered for contract. After the province selects a contractor further details on timeline and costs will be released.
The school is designed with enrolment growth in mind and will provide additional classroom space for more than 800 students.
“This design will provide the new school with the capacity to educate and inspire even more students and meet the needs of a wider community for generations to come,” said Smith. “This will be a wonderful space for students of all abilities and backgrounds as well as for the dedicated teachers who will continue to educate and inspire these young minds inside brand new walls.”
The province hopes the school will open for the 2027/28 school year.
“This new facility, with its ease of accessibility and modern design, will allow us to continue to provide a worldclass education for our students,” said Pat Connor, chair of Grasslands Public Schools.
The school replacement is one of 43 school capital projects funded in the 2024 budget.