LCSD looks to build new high school at Energy Centre

Lakeland Catholic School District has identified a new high school in Cold Lake as its top priority on their three-year capital plan. Should they be successful in receiving funding for the build from the Alberta government they will go forward with a build at the Energy Centre confirmed superintended Joe Arruda.

“If we get a high school, the preferred site is at the Energy Centre because it will connect with all the recreational and wellness facilities that are presently on site.” Arruda said the current amenities at the Energy Centre would compliment the school well.

Mayor of Cold Lake, Craig Copeland confirmed that the City voted to allow for the build, should approval come from the government. “It just makes sense to have the high school there.”

The Energy Centre is also home to Cold Lake High School (Northern Lights Public Schools) and Portage College. It features two ice rinks, a field house, running track, climbing wall, and gym. Outside is a skate park, baseball diamonds, pickleball courts, and soccer fields. Soon to come will be an artificial turf football field. The parking lot was also newly expanded with a new entrance/exit to the facility.The Energy Centre is on the Cold Lake free public transit route.

Should LCSD be successful there will be a need to reconfigure the current school systems. LCSD has two elementary (K-6) schools (St. Dominic and Holy Cross) and a junior/senior (7-12) school (Assumption).

“We would go from a three school system to a four school system. We would communicate with parents to figure out how to reconfigure the system,” explained Arruda.

The district is growing fast in Cold Lake. “We are growing at five to seven percent per year. This is higher than the growth of the city itself. For example in the last five years we’ve had to put nine portable classrooms at Holy Cross, which is our newest school.”

Should the district not be successful in receiving funding from the provincial government for the new build Arruda said they will be forced to add more portable classrooms at Assumption Jr/Sr High School.

Arruda said the district will not know whether or not they are approved for the build until mid-spring when the provincial budget is released. Also on the district’s top priority list on their three-year capital priorities is a new school in Lac La Biche. To see the full list visit https://lcsd150.ab.ca/index.php/capital-plan/1268-three-year-capital-plan-2018-2021.