A new school for Mallaig; construction underway to replace 70-year-old facility

One of St. Paul Education’s top priorities to the province for improvement is underway in Mallaig. 

The new build for École Mallaig School began following the sodturning ceremony on April 10. It’s a brand new $34 million project from Alberta Education that will replace the current K-12 school. 

“We’re excited for the end product, and we know that there’s probably going to be some growing pains as we get to that, but that’s expected,” principal Kellie Handford. 

With a variety of additions through the 1950s to the 1980s, the bones of the original building date back to its origin in 1955. 

Looking towards the replacement of the critical HVAC and mechanical systems, the conversations of a new school date back to 2016. 

Talks then grew over the next year or two with planners, confirming the need of a new school, with the current gym, was the best path forward. 

Now that the green light has been granted and funding is confirmed, they can look forward to offering a higher quality of education. 

The shuffling of students to different wings of the building has begun. Handford explained that there are phases of demolition, while keeping the main gym. She says they’ve been very creative, utilizing the cafeteria as a learning area, and the music room as a classroom area. 

“Currently, what we call our high school, is part of phase one demolition, so we moved all those classes down to vacant rooms we had in the elementary area,” she said. 

“Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll see some work being done for sure.”

What’s to come

Some of what’s new will also include large, flexible spaces that could be used for a variety of purposes, like faith-based learning. 

Mallaig’s athletics programs are very well supported, but there isn’t much room for spectators and parents to watch. That will change in this new build with expanded viewing areas. 

The design includes a dedicated indoor walking path that will be accessible to the community, and there are long-term provisions for a daycare, although that isn’t funded at the moment. 

The existing public library services will continue to be offered through the new school facility.

A dedicated makerspace is also seen as a highlight, while being able to try different layouts for CTS courses. 

The timelines given by the province are labelled at 22 months for the 230 student school. Once it’s done, Mallaig families can hope that this school will last 70 more years, like their current one has. 

“It’s definitely an exciting time, any time you get a new school build it’s exciting. But we’re also very down to earth and humble that there are going to be distractions and disruptions,” said Handford. 

“We’re very lucky to have a community that supports the school, and the fact that if there’s certain things the school needs, I wholeheartedly believe the community will support us.”