Alberta announces $8.6B to speed up school construction

Key Takeaways:

• Alberta’s government is accelerating the construction of 11 previously announced school projects in Calgary, Edmonton, and surrounding areas, aiming to create over 12,000 new student spaces. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address rapid population growth and school capacity needs.
• The projects will be delivered through public-private partnerships, with the next steps involving contractor selection and project design. More details on costs and timelines will be provided once contractors are confirmed.
• This initiative is part of a larger investment over the next three budget cycles, aiming to build up to 90 new schools, renovate or replace 24 existing ones, and expand modular classrooms, ultimately creating 200,000 student spaces across Alberta.

The Whole Story:

Alberta has announced $8.6 billion in funding to accelerate school construction and introduced a new approach to funding school projects.

As a result of this new funding approach, officials say they have sped up 11 previously announced school projects in the Calgary Metropolitan Region and Edmonton from the design stage to full construction funding. These projects are expected to create more than 12,000 new student spaces between Airdrie, Calgary, Chestermere, Edmonton, and Okotoks.   

“There is no two ways about it, Alberta is growing and growing fast, so we need to build schools now,” said Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education. “That’s why we are making a generational investment of $8.6 billion, and fast-tracking school construction process. Our commitment to building schools will help us build and open 200,000 spaces for students in communities that need them the most all within the next seven years.”

It is anticipated the 11 school projects will be delivered through two public-private partnership bundles, with next steps being contractor selection and project design. Additional details such as total project costs and timelines will be available once contractors have been selected.

Funded as part of a $2.1 billion school capital investment by Alberta’s government last year, these 11 school projects are part of the government’s overall commitment to build and modernize more than 200,000 student spaces within the next seven years. The province will invest an additional $8.6 billion over the next three budget cycles to kick-start up to 90 new schools and as many as 24 renovations or replacements and roll out more modular classrooms.

The 11 projects advancing to construction funding were initially approved for design funding in March 2024. The projects are as follows:

• Airdrie: 9-12 school
• Calgary: 10-12 school (Cornerstone)
• Calgary: K-4 school (Redstone)
• Calgary: K-6 school (Restone)
• Chestermere: K-9 school
• Edmonton: K-9 school Luarel)
• Edmonton: K-9 school (River’s Edge)
• Edmonton: K-6 school (Glenridding Heights)
• Edmonton: K-6 school (Rosenthal)
• Edmonton: 7-9 school (McConachie)
• Okotoks: 10-12 school