Graham Long, Free Press
The project that will see the construction of a new school in Drayton Valley will also provide a timely boost to the economy, according to the provincial minister responsible.
Minister of Infrastructure Prasad Panda estimated that the creation of a replacement for HW Pickup School, along with the demolition of both the existing school and the old Eldorado Elementary will create around 200 jobs while work is ongoing.
“It will also ensure generations of students have access to the top quality learning facility they need to help them do their best work and succeed,” he said.
Panda was speaking at the official announcement of the $36.4 million project, which was held in Drayton Valley last Wednesday. He was joined by provincial Minister of Education Adriana LaGrange, MLA Mark Smith and Wild Rose school trustees Daryl Scott and Mae Tryon along with school board chair Russ Hickman.
While it’s little more than a decade old, the existing HW Pickup Middle School has been plagued by structural problems almost since it opened. The ground under the building has continued to shift, which has led to cracks appearing in the walls and floors buckling. Attempts have been made to remedy the situation, but eventually it was deemed to be more cost effective to build a new school rather than continue to put money into the old one.
“It’s become clear that it’s time to build a new school in Dayton Valley,” said LaGrange at Wednesday’s announcement. “I’m delighted that local students will be learning in a safe and modern environment in the near future.”
School board chair Russ Hickman gave an overview of the history of education in Drayton Valley dating back to the opening of the original Eldorado School in 1915. He said the province’s decision to support a replacement school represented a powerful commitment to the future of the area.
“The opening of Evergreen School in September of 2020 and today’s announcement of a replacement school will allow the Wild Rose School Division to deliver high quality education in modern, efficient, powerful learning environments for generations to come,” he said. “Drayton Valley/Brazeau will be here in 100 years, still pulling together. The investment in the future of our community announced today will help ensure that.”
The new school will be built on land close to Frank Maddock High School. The plan is for the building to accommodate students from both the current HW Pickup and from Drayton Christian School, which is currently operating out of the old Eldorado School building. Work is set to begin this spring, with completion some time in 2023.
