Work has begun on Holy Rosary High School’s major renovation just in time for the holidays.
The $10-million project at Lloydminster’s Catholic high school, announced back in September 2020, is a two-storey addition, improving class sizes, services and energy efficiencies. This will add approximately 2,100 sq. m to the existing school, a little more than the space of an NHL hockey rink.
The costs of these renovations are shared with the province of Alberta through the Lloydminster Charter. In a media release, Education Minister Dustin Duncan said schools in the Border City must grow as their community does.
“By providing a modern learning environment for Holy Rosary High School’s growing student body, we are creating the climate for a growing Lloydminster and a growing Saskatchewan.”
Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) Board chair Paula Scott added that the expansion is not just about expanding a building.
“We are building opportunities for our students who have shared their hopes and dreams for programming and the space, and a lot of those ideas will be incorporated,” she said. “By expanding the physical space, staff and students can expand on what they can achieve.”
The additions include 16 more classrooms, a resource centre and a practical and applied arts space. While the school’s original capacity accommodated 750 students, the renovations will increase that number to allow for around 1,200 students. This is more than the current student population at Lloydminster Comprehensive, which is also adding classrooms and expanding its capacity to 1,522 students.
Principal Vince Orieux said it’s exciting to see the project progress. The matter of expansion has been discussed for years, as the school currently handles around 975 students, creating a number of problems in spaces like the gymnasium.
“You get into issues like potential overcrowding, which raise safety concerns,” Orieux said. “To have some people on site here in the next week and start seeing some real construction, we’re thrilled about it.”
(Holy Rosary High School/Facebook)Unique programming
Having more space is something that Orieux said will provide a greater range of subjects for students to invest in.
“We currently have an art room in the practical and applied arts area, but that moving frees up the space for something else,” he said. “By freeing a room up, you get two.”
Orieux added that some of the other areas of learning they’re looking to add include a tech room for coding and gaming and a small motors program in practical and applied arts. The latter can add opportunities for lessons on working with cars, small trucks, snowmobiles, quads, lawnmowers and more.
“Just some skills that kids can pick up for adult life,” Orieux noted. “Classes that aren’t typically in a high school, we’re going to be able to offer [them], so we’re excited about that,”
The expansion will also include a Dream Catcher Space for Cree language studies and lessons on Indigenous culture. This center is being designed with the help of local Elders and will have independent ventilation to allow for smudge and pipe ceremonies.
The renovations are led by Saskatchewan-based Quorex Construction and are anticipated to be completed in early 2023 as part of the Government of Saskatchewan’s $7.5 billion capital plan. Since 2007, the province has committed approximately $2.1 billion toward school infrastructure projects, including 57 new or replacement schools.
In total, it’s a 14 month project, with an anticipated finish in March, 2023. Orieux said the contractors have everything mapped out, adding that they’ve worked closely with them in moving classes amid construction starting.
“Having new spaces, being able to spread the kids out and anticipate that growth is going to be great.”
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