Planning for a new Kindergarten to Grade 12 Francophone school can go ahead with funding secured from the Alberta government and a site identified by the City of Beaumont.
"We are delighted that this project is finally moving forward," said Tanya Saumure, chair of Center-Nord School Board. "School staff, families and students have done their very best to make the most out of the starter school facilities and we commend them for that. We all look forward to being able to offer full programming in French in a school facility of substantive equivalence. This is wonderful news for the Francophone community in Beaumont. "
The Alberta government committed construction funding for the school in April, in addition to design funding already dedicated in the province's 2019 budget. The City of Beaumont also confirmed a location for the school in the Ruisseau neighborhood adjacent to Four Seasons Park and will begin preparing the site this spring.
The new K-12 school will have capacity for 420 students and replace the current École Saint-Vital school location on Magasin Avenue.
"I am proud to be a part of a government that values French first language education and is committed to improving Francophone education in Alberta," said Brad Rutherford, MLA for Leduc-Beaumont. "I am thrilled that this new K-12 Francophone school will be built to meet the current and future needs of Francophone students in Beaumont and the surrounding area. This school will be a tremendous asset to our community. "
Beaumont city council approved the preparation of the school site, including earth and road work, and connecting water and wastewater infrastructure. The cost for site preparations will be recovered from the developer as the neighborhood is built out.
"This project is a great example of different levels of government working together to benefit the community," said Mayor John Stewart. "Beaumont continues to be one of the fastest growing communities in Canada and we have a pressing need for classroom space. The new school is good news for our families and helps cultivate Beaumont's unique French character. "
About École Saint-Vital: Center-Nord School Board opened the school's doors in 2014, leasing several commercial buildings in south Beaumont. The school board partnered with other districts in Beaumont to access their facilities and ensure students receive a quality education. However, the current school site lacks a gymnasium, library, science lab, career and technology studies rooms and other amenities.
