The Aspen View School Division is gathering support in sending a letter to Minister of Education Jeff Johnson regarding the need for a new school in Athabasca.
“We consider the Town of Athabasca to be a partner in this concept,” Aspen View superintendent Brian LeMessurier said in a delegation to town council last Tuesday, where it was requested that the town sign off on the letter.
Council agreed to lend their support and discussed sending their own letter before councillor Tim Verhaeghe argued it was better to send just one.
“Signing one letter would show a tremendous amount of support,” he said.
The new school would be built to replace Landing Trail Intermediate School and Edwin Parr Composite, rather than spending money to repair both existing buildings.
“Aspen View has been assessing its facility needs in the Athabasca attendance area, specifically the three schools in Athabasca,” LeMessurier said. “But as you can see, it truly is at the conceptual stage.”
Aspen View is looking to the future and wants to spend the money on a new facility, instead of pouring money into repairing old schools.
“If we are to attend to the needs of students adequately here today, as well as prepare and not be caught in a growth spurt, we need to be thinking about some changes,” LeMessurier said.
With schools built many years ago, without major renovations to modernize the facilities, Aspen View is running into difficulties.
“Twenty-first century learning has brought about some increased needs in our facilities,” he explained. “We flip breakers because we have 2012 needs, and 1960’s wiring.”
Aspen View is exploring the possibility of the new school being built at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex.
“Potentially a new secondary school where we would make a two-pod school in one place,” LeMessurier said. “In looking at potential areas for building that in town, the Multiplex area came up very quickly as being very attractive.”
Some parents have expressed concern about putting that many students into one facility, and are concerned about the wide range of ages. LeMessurier said a two-pod school would solve those concerns.
Aspen View will also approach Athabasca County for support.
