Construction starting on new westside elementary school

By Lethbridge Herald on September 26, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Members of the Lethbridge School Division, planning and construction along with dignitaries mark the beginning of construction of the new K to 5 school during a ceremony Friday at Garry Station subdivision.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
LETHBRIDGE HERALD

Construction has begun on a new public elementary school in West Lethbridge.

The Lethbridge School Division had a ground-breaking ceremony Friday afternoon at the construction site of their newest school. 

Members of the Lethbridge School Division, dignitaries, and members of the designing and construction teams gathered Friday despite the rain to celebrate the beginning of construction of the new K-5 school in Garry Station, which will help to relieve overcrowding in a nearby elementary school. 

Associate Superintendent of business and operations Christine Lee told media this new school will provided much needed spaces for the growing population of Lethbridge West. 

“Mike Mountain Horse is the only elementary school on this end (of West Lethbridge) and so it’s going to take over some of the students from Mike Mountain Horse school, which has 21 modular classrooms on it, which is beyond the original design of the school,” said Lee. 

She said those 21 modular classrooms amount to about 525 students and therefore, the new school will be able to take a lot of pressure off of Mike Mountain Horse.

“The total investment of the province is around $33 million for this school and the goal is to have it open for September 2025,” said Lee. 

She said the school will be a two-story building with capacity for 600 students while able to grow to 900 students. 

“A new school always attracts additional housing because  the community grows around the school, and the school grows with the community. It brings the community together and so we’re always excited to add a new school,” said Lee. 

Project director with Ward Bros. Construction, Bill Scales said they are excited to take on another school project and especially one so close to his home. 

“It’s really fun to be part of something like this, and of course seeing the community grow,” said Scales. 

He said the school will have flexible and open spaces as well as a way to expand if needed to. 

“They’ve got some provisions to add modulars later with some open concept stuff, so very flexible space, very open and inviting for the kids,” said Scales.