Concept art for a new elementary school in the Garry Station area of west Lethbridge, March 15, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge School Division)

By David Opinko

Construction on new west Lethbridge elementary school to begin in summer 2023

Mar 15, 2023 | 3:26 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Construction on a new elementary school in west Lethbridge is set to commence in the coming months.

The Lethbridge School Division said the new K-5 school in the Garry Station area will be able to accommodate up to 600 students upon completion. The additions of 12 modular classrooms in future years could boost student capacity up to 900.

The 6,000 square metre facility will be the first two-story elementary school in the division since the 1950s, when Senator Buchanan Elementary School and Westminster Elementary School were built.

Infrastructure Minister and Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf said student enrollment numbers continue to increase and the Government of Alberta knows that it needs to invest in school infrastructure now.

“This is a top priority project for Lethbridge students as well as the community, and Alberta’s government is pleased to be funding this much-needed new school,” explained Neudorf. “Our priority is to ensure all Alberta students have access to the top-quality school facilities they need to learn and thrive.”

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Lethbridge School Division Director of Facility Services Daniel Heaton said some of the top priorities for the new west side school are a large gymnasium and student drop-off zone.

The Government of Alberta has contracted FWBA Architects to design the school, while construction will be done by Ward Bros. Construction.

Heaton adds, “We are very confident in the work of these two companies. We are very pleased to once again work closely with Ward Bros. and FWBA on another exciting school build for our city.”

Construction on the yet-to-be-named school is scheduled to begin in summer 2023, pending the approval of a permit from the City of Lethbridge. A groundbreaking ceremony is tentatively set for June.

The school division hopes to welcome students to the new elementary school in the 2025-26 school year.

The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division also recently learned that it has been approved for funding to construct an elementary school of its own in west Lethbridge as part of the provincial government’s 2023 budget.

Officials with Holy Spirit hope to have that school finished in about three years.

READ MORE: Province funding construction of new west Lethbridge elementary school

READ MORE: Alberta Budget 2023 includes investments in school infrastructure