The Alberta government is expediting five additional school construction projects across the province in response to growing demands for classroom space. This initiative will see three new schools built in Edmonton and one in Calgary, alongside another in Plamondon.
Accelerated Timeline for School Construction
Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides confirmed that four projects have advanced to the construction phase, while one has moved into design. These developments are part of the provincial government's $8.6 billion School Construction Accelerator Program launched in 2024.
In an interview, Minister Nicolaides explained how the fast-tracking process has significantly reduced project timelines. "We've recognized the need to build schools quickly, so we adapted the program, and they moved through those stages a lot faster," he stated. The revised approach allows projects to progress to subsequent phases immediately upon readiness rather than waiting for the next budget cycle.
This streamlined process has achieved remarkable efficiency gains, shortening the average completion timeline by approximately six months from initial conception to final construction.
Specific Project Details and Locations
The accelerated projects include:
- Two schools with Edmonton Public Schools
- One school with Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord in Edmonton
- One project with Conseil scolaire FrancoSud in Calgary
- One school with Conseil scolaire Centre-Est in Plamondon
All three Edmonton schools have reached the construction stage after being accelerated from planning to design in September 2024. This earlier advancement reduced project timelines by nine months for each institution.
Broader Educational Infrastructure Initiative
The comprehensive $8.6 billion program represents one of Alberta's most significant investments in educational infrastructure. The funding will support approximately 200,000 school spaces through various projects including:
- 90 new schools
- Up to 24 renovation or replacement projects
- Construction or expansion of up to 15 public charter schools
Currently, 120 school projects are underway across Alberta, reflecting the province's commitment to addressing educational infrastructure needs.
Minister Nicolaides noted that typical school construction requires three to five years for completion. While he didn't provide specific forecasts for the next wave of completed schools, he confirmed that numerous educational spaces will become operational throughout the coming years. "I don't have a forecast in front of me, but I can definitely look at which schools might be closer to completion for the end of this year and the end of next year," he commented.
The minister emphasized that once projects enter the construction phase, they generally require two to three years to finalize building, making the accelerated timeline particularly significant for communities awaiting new educational facilities.
