Designs made for new Vera M Welsh Elementary School

Images: NLPS. 

Northern Lights has completed designs on what the new Vera M Welsh Elementary School in Lac La Biche will look like — if and when they receive provincial funding.

Getting a a new school built has been one of the top priorities of the school division for years, and meetings in month’s past between provincial officials and local authorities have highlighted this point.

After land approvals from Lac La Biche County to build beside Energy Centre, the new Vera M Welsh will feature 11 classrooms with lots of centralized spaces to promote collaboration and community. 

This includes:

• A learning commons that opens into a gathering area;
• A stage that folds into the gymnasium wall;
• Viewing windows for parents to observe gym activities;
• A dedicated music room; and
• A servery to support the school’s lunch program.

There are also two sensory rooms to support diverse student needs. To accommodate future enrollment growth, the design allows for the addition of four portable classrooms. 

Design funding from the province was approved in March 2023. Then in September 2023, Lac La Biche County approved the site.

Now that designs are complete, NLPS is hoping Alberta Education will give this project the money it needs to come to life.

“With the design stage complete, the next step is securing construction funding from Alberta Education to approve us for funding for construction so the project can go to tender,” said Board Chair Karen Packard, in a press release on Monday. 

“We are hopeful it will be part of the government’s budget announcements this spring, or approved shortly afterwards through the new School Capital Accelerator Program.”

With the building of the new pool in the Bold Centre, a partnership between NLPS and the County will see the parking lot for staff also work as overflow parking.

It will also allow for more exterior space to be used for outdoor learning activities and a playground.

The parking lot will include the infrastructure to add six EV charging stations in the future when there is a demand for that service, NLPS says. 

Safety and traffic flow have been prioritized with a separate bus loading and unloading area, a  designated parent drop-off zone, and visitor parking to reduce congestion and ensure student safety.