Alberta's Minister of Infrastructure and Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf during a news conference discussing school infrastructure funding, March 1, 2023. (Photo: Government of Alberta)

By Justin Goulet

Alberta Budget 2023 includes investments in school infrastructure

Mar 1, 2023 | 12:06 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Government of Alberta has provided additional details on how funding in Budget 2023 will impact the education system.

Officials note the province is investing $2.3 billion over the next three years for new and modernized classrooms. The latest provincial budget supports 58 projects. These initiatives include 13 full construction projects, 20 design, 14 planning and 11 pre-planning projects.

The government said that there will be nearly 25,000 new and additional spaces for students in Alberta, including 9,400 new spaces and over 15,500 student upgraded spaces.

Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange said in a news release, “Alberta’s young learners are the community and business leaders of tomorrow. They need the right spaces to gain the tools and skills needed to prepare for their bright futures.”

LaGrange said, “By investing in our schools, we’re investing in our students while at the same time creating more jobs and supporting the local economy.”

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According to the provincial government, the infrastructure investment includes:

• $372 million for construction and design projects:
  • 10 new schools
  • 16 replacement schools
  • Seven modernizations
• $4 million to support planning activities such as site analysis and scope development for 14 projects
• $1 million to pre-plan 11 conceptual projects that are anticipated to become high-priority needs for school jurisdictions
• $1 billion to continue work on previously announced projects
• $300 million over three years in school authority self-directed capital projects
• $279 million to support the maintenance and renewal of existing school buildings through the Capital Maintenance and Renewal Program
• $171 million to support public charter school infrastructure, including investment for a charter hub in Calgary
• $43 million to fund facility upgrades for successful collegiate school applicants
• $93 million for the modular classroom program to address urgent space needs across the province

SOUTHERN ALBERTA PROJECTS

In southern Alberta, some of the projects announced include:

• A new K-6 school in west Lethbridge for the Holy Spirit Roman Catholic Separate School Division
• A gym project at École La Vérendrye in Lethbridge
• A new high school in Raymond within the Westwind School Division
• The modernization of the W.R. Myers and D.A Ferguson schools in Taber
• The modernization of Coalhurst High School
• The modernization of Galbraith Elementary School in Lethbridge

The government news release also mentioned funding to design a “solution for Bow Island and Burdett.”

Minister of Infrastructure and MLA for Lethbridge-East, Nathan Neudorf stated, “The Alberta government is investing in critical infrastructure projects that include upgrading and building high-quality schools to ensure Albertans can send their children to schools in their local communities.”

Neudorf added, “Our focus is on ensuring these projects are delivered on time, on budget and where they’re needed.”

More on the 2023 Budget is available at the Government of Alberta website.

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