By Lisa Kopochinski
EDMONTON, Alberta鈥擳wo new K-9 schools are slated to break ground this year in southwest Edmonton in an effort to create jobs and stimulate the province鈥檚 economy.
According to an article in the , the United Conservative Party government is accelerating the construction of five new schools in total.
This September, ground will break one public K-9 school and one Catholic K-9 school鈥攚hich will accommodate a projected combined enrolment of 1,900 students for the 2022-23 school year.
The public school site is adjacent to the Arbours of Keswick Estates, a Rohit Land Development community. The Catholic site is adjacent to One at Keswick, a development by Beaverbrook Communities.
Beaverbrook President of Communities and Commercial Jodie Wacko told local media that they are happy with the government鈥檚 decision to move the projected start date ahead.
鈥淢any years ago, we had redesigned the entire area to incorporate a unique layout that allowed us to have two schools, each at the end of a linear parkway linked by a storm pond,鈥� he said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e now seeing these schools come to fruition and it excites us because it builds on our commitment to our customers and to our residents to have a complete community.鈥�
With approximately 400 households already living in the community and another 400 to 500 expected, Wacko said that schools within walking distance in the community are important.
Rohit Marketing Manager Marty Pawlina said, in a statement, that beefing up the province鈥檚 infrastructure and creating jobs, plus the announcement of a firm construction date for the schools was a great move by the government.
鈥淭here鈥檚 significant development and momentum happening right now in the southwest. It鈥檚 the most active sector of Edmonton.鈥�
He added that he hopes a future high school in the Heritage Valley district will receive funding in the next few years, but for now, facilities for K-9 students in both Edmonton systems is the most urgent need for Keswick.
The bidding process for each school is scheduled to begin shortly.