Right sizing schools in Rocky Mountain House is the new top capital priority for the Wild Rose School Division (WRSD).
At their regular board meeting March 22, trustees had a chance to review the division’s Three Year Capital Plan for 2023-2026.
According to the plan, schools in Rocky Mountain House are not being fully utilized for the size of the schools.
Division officials say Ecole Rocky Elementary has a low utilization rate of approximately 42 per cent. However, Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure expect the school division’s capital plan to result in improved utilization rates approaching 90 per cent.
Ecole Rocky Elementary saw a major modernization in 1989. During this time, many major building components and finishes were replaced. As the school’s modernization was 30 years ago, many of those elements have now met or exceeded their designed life expectancy. Examples of those elements include:
- Heating boilers and distribution system
- Fire alarm system
- Electrical system
- Windows/roofing
Lochearn Elementary has a utilization of approximately 72 per cent. This is the highest utilization of all division schools in Rocky Mountain House. However, Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure expect the school division to result in improved utilization rates approaching 90 per cent.
Though in need of some upgrades, officials concede, Lochearn School is still in serviceable condition. The board noted some issues during the inspection, however, that include:
- Perimeter masonry foundation walls around the original 1960 building are deteriorating in several locations.
- Exposed exterior masonry walls are not properly insulated.
- Some structural concerns are on the radar. Not critical at this time but should be dealt with in the next several years.
Although both buildings are in serviceable condition at this time, officials acknowledge they are aging. In their report, the board says replacement and/or upgrading of many components are forthcoming.
The board’s proposed solution is to build one more elementary school in Rocky Mountain House. This would include:
1) Temporarily decanting all Kindergarten to Grade 4 students to Ecole Rocky Elementary and Grade 5 to Pioneer School.
2) Demolish the Lochearn Building
3) Construction of a new replacement building on the current Lochearn site
4) Move Kindergarten to Grade 4 in the new replacement building
5) Demolish the Ecole building
On Feb 17, 2022, the WRSD Board of Trustees and administration hosted a community engagement session to discuss their future capital plans for the school division and specifically, Rocky Mountain House. The division explained the capital planning process and some potential ideas for Rocky Mountain House schools. The division is hoping to create a regional planning study with participants such as Alberta Education, WRSD trustees and administration, Rocky school principals and parents, as well as Town of Rocky Mountain House officials, architects and cost consultants in the near future.
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