This release was issued under a previous government.

Albertans will save at least $14 million with the Alberta government taking responsibility for 19 new schools that were expected to be built using a public-private partnership (P3). 

“We have always maintained that Alberta would only use P3s where they show value for money and, with this project, a P3 does not make sense. The right choice for students, parents and taxpayers in this case is to use the government’s traditional procurement method to deliver these 19 schools.”

Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Infrastructure  

It was determined that using a P3 method to deliver the 19 schools would cost $570.7 million, whereas the cost would be $556.6 million through traditional procurement methods.

The target date to deliver the 19 schools is 2017, however, the government will work with school boards to build them sooner if possible.

Planning and work, in consultation with school boards and municipalities, has already been completed on the 19 schools, including:

  • obtaining all municipal development permits;
  • completing school facility drawings specific to the development permits; and
  • completing site investigations, environmental assessments and geotechnical testing. 

The 19 schools are part of a total 120 new school projects (50 new schools and 70 modernizations) the Alberta government announced in 2013-14.

Government is responsible for the delivery of 101 of those projects, with the remainder being managed by school boards.

All school projects are well underway and, in some cases, contracts are in place and construction site work is expected to begin this year.

Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.

Backgrounder

19 School Locations

Blackfalds - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 6 School
Wolf Creek School Division
Opening/Final Capacity: 400/500 students

Calgary, Auburn Bay - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 School
Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 900/900 students

Calgary, Copperfield - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 4 School
Calgary School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 600/600 students

Calgary, Evanston - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 School
Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 900/900 students

Calgary, Evanston - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 4 School
Calgary School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 600/600 students

Calgary, New Brighton - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 4 School
Calgary School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 600/600 students

Calgary, Royal Oak/Rocky Ridge - New Grade 5-9 School
Calgary School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 900/900 students

Calgary, Saddle Ridge - New Grade 5-9 School
Calgary School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 900/900 students

Calgary, Martindale - Kindergarten-to-Grade 6 Replacement for École La Mosaïque starter school
Southern Francophone Education Region No. 4
Opening/Final Capacity: 300/350 students

Cochrane - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 8 School
Rocky View School Division
Opening/Final Capacity: 800/900 students

Davisburg - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 School
Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate Regional Division
Opening/Final Capacity: 400/600 students

Edmonton, Heritage Valley - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 6 School
Edmonton School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 600/600 students

Edmonton, Lewis Farms - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 School
Edmonton Catholic Separate School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 750/900 students

Edmonton, Terwillegar Heights - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 School
Edmonton School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 900/900 students

Leduc, West - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 School
Black Gold Regional Division
Opening/Final Capacity: 500/700 students

Lethbridge, West - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 5 School
Lethbridge School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 500/600 students

Spruce Grove, Prescott - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 9 School
Parkland School Division
Opening/Final Capacity: 750/900 students

St. Albert, Erin Ridge - New Kindergarten-to-Grade 6 School
St. Albert Public School District
Opening/Final Capacity: 600/600 students

St. Albert, Northeast - New Grades 7-12 School
Greater North Central Francophone Education Region
Opening/Final Capacity: 400/450 students