Province speeds up Coalhurst school project

By Lethbridge Herald on May 21, 2025.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
Lethbridge Herald

The Alberta government has announced it’s speeding up the construction of 11 previously announced school projects across the province, including one within the Palliser School Division to modernize Coalhurst High School. 

Palliser School Division Superintendent, Dave Driscoll says they are extremely pleased to see the design phase of the Coalhurst High School project progressing through the Construction Acceleration program. 

“This important step ensures we are well-prepared for the next stages and allows us to design a school that truly reflects the needs of our community in Coalhurst. We are excited to move forward and look ahead with great anticipation to the construction phase,” says Driscoll. 

Lorelei Bexte, Board Chair adds that as a Board, they are proud to see this project advancing and are grateful for the opportunity to help shape a high school that will serve Coalhurst families. 

“The design phase is a key milestone, and we look forward to the next steps as this vision becomes a reality,” says Bexte. 

Last fall, the provincial government announced an $8.6 billion plan to speed-up school construction to build and renovate more than 100 schools. Since then, a total of 33 previously announced school projects have been approved to move forward to the next stage of the construction process, and there are now 132 active school projects in communities across Alberta.

“We are building more schools at a faster rate, never before seen in Alberta. Through this innovative approach to building more schools now, backed by our generational investment of $8.6 billion to build more than 100 schools across the province, we will ensure every student in Alberta has the space to engage in the province’s world-class education system,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education and Childcare.

To create more student spaces where they are needed most in the coming school year, Alberta’s government is investing $50 million to build 50 new modular classrooms and relocate 19 others to provide more than 1,650 new and relocated student spaces in some of Alberta’s fastest-growing communities. The $50 million investment adds to the $140 million invested in modular classrooms in 2024.

“Alberta’s government is delivering on our commitment to build vibrant, high-quality learning environments for students across the province,” said Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure.

“By accelerating school construction and expanding modular classroom capacity, we’re making sure families in growing communities have access to the education spaces they need – now and into the future,”