Sod turned on new westside elementary

By Lethbridge Herald on May 1, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division is now officially ready to begin construction of the new West Lethbridge elementary school, after the land was blessed and the sod was turned Wednesday morning. 

Members of the Board of trustees, division’s staff members, local dignitaries, and construction company representatives gathered to witness the site receive both a Catholic blessing and a Blackfoot blessing.

The ceremony began with an opening prayer and the singing of Oh Canada, followed by remarks by Superintendent of schools Chantel Axani, Board chair Carmen Mombourquette, and land blessings. 

While blessing the site, St. Martha’s Parish pastor Father William Monis prayed that those involved in the construction of the school be safe, as well as that after construction is done the school may become a place where children can learn in an environment that allows them to cultivate and practice their faith.  

Elder Kendrick Fox provided a Blackfoot blessing and spread tobacco along the site where the shovels entered the ground during the groundbreaking ceremony. 

Axani spoke to media after the ceremony and said she felt blessed to be able to support the division in the work that began way before she arrived in Lethbridge and was very excited to take part in the turning of the sod.

“The fact that we can turn the sod today, bless the ground and prepare the site is just phenomenal, and I am very excited for this upcoming year and all the work ahead leading up to our opening in September 2026,” said Axani. 

She said that the new school will be built to have capacity for approximately 400 students, with the possibility for expansion and addition of portables in mind, as the West Lethbridge population continues to grow. 

In terms of the boundaries for the new school, Axani said the board of trustees is reviewing the feedback provided by the community and stakeholders at this time. 

“Our board of trustees has committed to communicating out a decision on boundaries prior to the end of the school year,” said Axani. 

Mombourquette also spoke with media after the ceremony and said the groundbreaking ceremony was a long-time coming and it was time to get the construction started so the school can be ready on time to alleviate capacity pressure on west Lethbridge schools. 

“The biggest alleviation of pressure is for Father Leonard Van Tighem School. That school has been passed full for too many years,” said Mombourquette.

In terms of a price tag for the new school, Mombourquette said the price is high, but the investment is for a school that will last for many years and generations to come. 

“This school, which is nothing significant out of the ordinary, will be over $18 million. Thank goodness the taxpayers and the province of Alberta are in an economic position to be able to afford that,” said Mombourquette. 

He added that the existing Crossings playground will be utilized by the students at the new school, as the City of Lethbridge was aware of the upcoming construction prior to building the playground.