Cochrane is number two on RVS capital plan priority list

The Rocky View Schools Board of Trustees has approved the Rocky View Schools’ 2023-2026 Capital Plan.

The plan includes an urgent request to the provincial government for funding for several new schools and Cochrane is number two on the priority list.

The board explains in the plan, "A new school is required every two to three years in the Cochrane area just to keep up with growth. The last RVS school opened in Cochrane was in the community of Fireside in 2017. A new public elementary school in Cochrane is needed with a final location to be determined based on the site readiness of a school site."

As in previous years, the issue of RVS being one of the fastest-growing school divisions in the province necessitates the need for more schools.

Board Chair, Fiona Gilbert says, “Prioritizing provincial capital funding to build new schools in RVS is vital as modular classrooms added to schools and school additions are just not keeping pace with the growth we are seeing in our urban communities."

In the most recent census data, Cochrane along with Airdrie was cited as two of the fastest-growing communities in Alberta. Due to the rapid growth, Gilbert says, “RVS is creative in maximizing the existing space to offer the best learning environment possible – but more space is urgently required."

The 2023-2026 Capital Plan outlines RVS’ capital requirements over the next three years and the board says it is a difficult list to prioritize as Cochrane, Airdrie, and Chestermere are all experiencing rapid growth at the same time.

The priority list is as follows:

Priority 1: Airdrie K-8 School 

Priority 2: Cochrane K-5 School

Priority 3: Chestermere K-9 School

Priority 4: Airdrie High School

The Rocky View Schools' Capital Plan will now be submitted to the Province for consideration.

It was announced earlier this month that Bow Valley High School was included in the provincial government's budget for the expansion of much-needed space.