Alberta government to fast-track construction of 11 new schools

The Alberta government said it is fast-tracking the construction of 11 new schools in the province, six in and around Calgary and five in Edmonton.

This means the previously announced school projects are moving from the design stage to full construction funding.

The Saturday announcement comes after Premier Danielle Smith brought in the School Construction Accelerator Program, which will add $8.6 billion by 2026-27 to the budget. It is expected to accommodate over 200,000 student spaces over the next seven years.

Since it was announced, 22 school projects have jumped to the construction phase.

The 11 schools are expected to create over 12,000 student spaces between Airdrie, Calgary, Chestermere, Edmonton, and Okotoks.

The province said two public-private partnership bundles are expected to deliver the 11 school projects; however, no details on costs, timelines, and contractors were made available.

Accordingly, the school projects’ funding is part of a $2.1 billion school capital investment made in 2024.

In Edmonton, two K-9 Catholic schools will be built in Laurel and River’s Edge, while three public schools–a K-9 and two K-6’s–will be in Glenridding Heights, Rosenthal, and McConachie respectively.

For the city south of the capital, a Calgary Board of Education high school and a K-4 school will be built in Cornerstone and Redstone, while a K-6 Calgary Catholic school will also be in Redstone.

K-9 and 9-12 schools in the Rocky View Schools district will be built in Chestermere and Airdrie respectively, along with a high school in the Foothills School Division in Okotoks.