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Supplied: Government of ALberta
Valleyview, Manning, Slave Lake

Province announces design funding for a K-12 school in Valleyview

Mar 4, 2022 | 2:59 PM

The Northern Gateway School Division is set to receive design funding for a replacement K-12 school in Valleyview. It is included in the governments’ education infrastructure projects list in the new budget.

On March 4, the provincial government announced it would be spending $251 million over three years on 15 school projects.

Premier Jason Kenney says these 15 schools include the construction of five new schools, four modernizations in addition to what he describes as six ‘other projects.’

The school in Valleyview is among the “other” projects described by the Premier.

In addition, the Peace River School Division is set to receive design funding for a K to 12 replacement school in Manning, and Living Waters School Division is to receive funding for a water main repair at St. Francis CC Academy in Slave Lake.

Other projects include new schools in Calgary, Edmonton and Camrose; modernizations in Acme, Cochrane, Evansburg and Milk River; design funding for schools in Sherwood Park, Raymond, and Penhold.

According to provincial officials, these Budget 2022 school projects will provide new and improved student spaces, create jobs and revitalize communities across the province.

“New schools and modernization projects throughout the province are creating vital economic activity in Alberta communities and supporting thousands of jobs related to project planning, design and construction. We’re focused on ensuring students have, as quickly as possible, the top-quality schools they need to help them succeed,” said Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure Prasad Panda.

Government officials say the 2022 Capital Plan includes $2 billion over three years to support these 15 school projects, continue work on previously announced projects, maintain existing schools and support charter school infrastructure, including collegiate programs. This is said to include $118 million over the next three years to support the continued implementation of the modular program to address the most urgent needs for additional space across the province.

Also included is $209 million over three years to support the maintenance and renewal of existing school buildings through the Capital Maintenance and Renewal Program and $300 million over three years in school authority self-directed capital projects.

(With files from Sheldon Spackman)