Blue Hills Community School addition and modernization is moving ahead as planned.

The project was on a list of capital project announcements made by Education Minister Adriana LaGrange on Nov. 1.

“It’s fantastic news,” said FVSD Superintendent Mike McMann on Friday afternoon.

McMann said there are a lot of parts still in play regarding the modernization and expansion project in Blue Hills, and the provincial government has not disclosed how much it plans on putting toward the project. The next stage will include planning and engineering, which could involve merging a number of different projects under one roof due to the school’s status as a community building.

Regardless, a modernized and expanded Blue Hills Community School will be a large benefit to students in the area forced to ride the bus for up to two hours or more to attend school in La Crete.  The new building will become the heart of the community which is very active.

“There will be no more bus rides for two hours,” McMann said. “They can have more family time, more sleep time, they’re not as exhausted, and their apathy toward school is going to change because school will be right there for them.”

“It’s going to be night and day different,” he added.

FVSD would like to sincerely thank Minister LaGrange and our MLA Dan Williams for their efforts.

“We made a promise to Albertans that our government will continue to build new schools, and we are doing exactly that,” LaGrange stated in a government news release. “Through our significant investment in new schools, replacements, modernizations and infrastructure upkeep, our children will continue to learn in up-to-date and safe spaces. This will result in better success in our classrooms. The future is bright for Alberta students.”

“This will mean more students will complete High School – which is ultimately our goal,” McMann said.