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By Justine Kelsie

New opening date set for Whispering Ridge Community School

Oct 30, 2017 | 2:39 PM

Whispering Ridge Community School will open two months later than originally planned. The opening date has been bumped from January 2018 to April 2018.

Peace Wapiti School Division is attributing the date change to the upturn in the economy making it harder to find tradespeople as well as the weather. Superintendent Sheldon Rowe explains that although walls, windows, and other parts are up, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.

“Every week we meet with the company and we get updates on the progress as it is going. They have a project line or schedule and they keep us appraised as to where they are at. Our goal now is just after Easter and I think we have enough of a buffer and we should be fine,” said Rowe.

His biggest worry is having construction going on while children are walking around the school and schoolyard.

“Right now, where the kids are, they are crowded but they are safe. It is going to be built a lot faster if the guys doing the construction don’t have to work around the kids. If they can get in there, get it done, and not have to worry about children on the property.”

Rowe is hoping that the keys will be handed over before the Easter break to allow teachers to move their items into the building before opening on April 9th, 2018.

The new school is located north of Grande Prairie in the Whispering Ridge subdivision. Once opened, it will accommodate Kindergarten to Grade 8 students.

by Justine Kelsie