Livingstone Range School Division welcomed the news last week the province approved construction funding for the Nanton schools project.
The funding is part of the Alberta budget, which allocated $2.1-billion for Kindergarten to Grade 12 schools projects.
“Today marks a significant investment in the future of Nanton and our commitment to education in rural Alberta,” Livingstone-Macleod MLA Chelsae Petrovic said. “This project will not only provide a modern and safe learning environment for students but also contribute to the overall development and prosperity of our community.”
The plan is to build a new school in Nanton to house elementary students.
J.T. Foster school will be demolished and junior and senior high students will move into a modernized A.B. Daley school, which at present is the elementary school.
Design funding was granted in March 2023, and the division is currently moving through the design process which will take until December 2024.
The result will be tender-ready construction documents such as drawings, specifications, and permits.
Construction funding moves the project into the next phase.
“For 10 years the board of trustees has advocated Alberta Education for new and modernized schools in Nanton,” Livingstone Range school board chair Lori Hodges said. “Today we are elated that this investment will provide 21st-century learning facilities to help our students grow and prepare for the future.”
Livingstone Range will receive more detailed funding information from Alberta Education in the coming weeks and will share construction plans as they become available.
“We are grateful for the work of the Nanton Schools Advisory Committee, the Enhancement Committee, and stakeholders who celebrate with us today,” Hodges said. “Our ongoing collaboration will benefit the students, families, and community of Nanton.”
The province included funding for 43 priority school projects in the budget, including 28 new schools, 10 replacement schools and five modernizations.
“I commend the dedication and hard work of all those involved in making this project a reality,” Petrovic said. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on generations to come.”
