(Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Winston Churchill High School unveils new Weld Shop Building set for September opening

Jan 31, 2025 | 2:14 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A Lethbridge high school has made a big announcement about a new facility on campus.

On Thursday, January 30, 2025, Winston Churchill High School announced the opening of its new Weld Shop Building, a collaboration between the school, Southland Trailers and several other local organizations, including:

• Neu-Lite Electric Inc
• Top Notch Mechanical
• 1st TechniCall Systems Inc
• Litterbug Waste Disposal Service
• Rite-Way Fencing Inc.
• Banditos Inc.
• Eecol Electric

The state-of-the-art facility will allow students interested in a welding career work to get early experience in their high school setting. The building will have seven welding booths, specialized areas for grinding and cutting, and additional spaces to facilitate hands-on training.

The first teacher for the facility and its classes will be Colton Garner, who has taught welding in the past in Southern Alberta, and was a driving force in bringing the opportunity to the school.

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Garner says the program will benefit the students greatly.

Winston Churchill principal Tracy Wong further elaborated, saying that it creates a direct line from the classroom to the workforce.

Southland Trailers says the initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between industries, educational institutions, and the community in fostering opportunities for young learners to succeed in the trades.

Ashton Ervin with Southland Trailers, who acted as the project manager for the Weld Shop, says that it is important to see members of the community come together to support a major project.

The Weld Shop Building is expected to be up and running in September for the 2025-26 school year.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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