On April 9, 2020, the provincial government confirmed full funding to either modernize or replace the Athabasca Delta Community School (ADCS) in Fort Chipewyan as part of its Budget 2020 Capital Plan.
"Northland School Division is pleased with the announcement made in regards to Athabasca Delta Community School (ADCS) in Fort Chipewyan. When we submitted our 2020-2021 Capital Plan, replacing the current ADCS facility was a high priority. The division is looking forward to working with the staff, the community, and the province to create a modern facility that improves the learning experience for students and better reflects the community of Fort Chipewyan."
- Robin Guild, Board Chair, The Northland School Division
"Our government remains committed to building new schools and modernizing our existing ones to ensure students continue to learn in safe and modern spaces. Education remains a priority and our government's significant investment in school infrastructure is delivering on our promise to prioritize schools for today and generations to come."
- Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Education, Government of Alberta
The Government of Alberta's 2020 Capital Plan adds two new modernization projects and provides full construction funding for nine projects that had previously only received design funding. This brings government's total Capital Plan investment to $1.5 billion over the next three years to support new schools and modernization projects currently underway across the province.
"I am proud to be a part of a government that values investing in much needed school projects across the province. We are following through on the Athabasca Delta Community School project. It is an investment not only in our students, but also in the community and future of Fort Chipewyan. Our government committed to building new and updating existing schools and that is exactly what we are doing.
- Tany Yao, MLA, Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo
The provincial government is also investing more than $650 million in operations and maintenance funding to support school boards in the day-to-day upkeep of school facilities, and another $193 million will support the maintenance and renewal of existing school buildings.
"The announcement is great news for the community of Fort Chipewyan. I am pleased that the community is being heard. Having something new to meet the needs of all students is a nice uplift for the community. An announcement like this goes a long way to our continued work together to improve community relations."
- Rubi Shirley, Ward 9 Trustee, Fort Chipewyan, The Northland School Division
Athabasca Delta Community School is located in one of the most northern communities in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Established as a trading post in 1788 by the Northwest Trading Company, Fort Chipewyan is the oldest settlement in all of Alberta. More than 230 years later, trapping and fishing are still activities enjoyed by residents of Fort Chipewyan. Many of the residents of Fort Chipewyan are Mikisew Cree First Nation, Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Métis.
