BARRHEAD — A petition is currently circulating within the community of Barrhead requesting a “formal public disclosure” of changes that will occur at Barrhead Composite High School (BHCS) as a result of the proposed modernization and right-sizing of the building.
Back in March 2023, the modernization and right-sizing of Barrhead Composite High School was listed among the 58 education-related capital projects within Budget 2023.
Funding had been designated for the design of the project, which includes the preparation of construction tender documents like drawings, specifications and permits.
The modernization and right-sizing of BCHS — which was originally constructed in 1958 and has been added on to throughout the years — has been the top priority in Pembina Hills’ capital plan since the construction of the new Neerlandia Public Christian School was completed.
However, trustees voted in early 2023 to make it the only priority in the 2023-2026 capital plan, in the hopes of emphasizing the necessity of the project to the province.
Recently, an anonymous individual posted to the Barrhead Aware Facebook page that a petition was available at several locations within the community, as well as at the Polar Parade on Dec. 1.
The originator of this petition stated it was their understanding that various spaces, such as a gymnasium and CTS (Career and Technology Studies) classrooms, would be lost during the modernization and right-sizing.
“We would request a formal public disclosure of outlined changes, as well as an opportunity to present feedback,” the post stated.
The Town & Country This Week reached out to the anonymous poster via Facebook and received a response from Trisha Enman, who indicated she was one of a group of parents who were circulating the petition.
Enman said there’s a lot of “grey area” about what the actual design of the modernized BCHS will look like, and there’s a feeling that Pembina Hills may be out of touch with the needs of the community.
The group isn’t questioning the need for a modernization or demolishing parts of the school; as she herself put it, the east wing of the school “is absolutely a disaster” and there are other classrooms that may contain asbestos in the walls.
However, there is a major concern around the potential loss of one of the school’s gymnasiums as a space that could be used by recreational groups, as well as the Town of Barrhead’s involvement (or lack thereof) in this project.
Enman indicated she had read all of the newspaper articles and school board minutes going back to 2019 and while she can confirm that there were conversations between the town and school division about involvement in the modernization, they differ on why the town isn’t involved moving forward.
She said there are multiple community groups who have a vested interest in a community recreation space, noting that when she moved to Barrhead, she had attempted to start a fitness class but was forced to use spaces like the Glenreagh Hall.
Likewise, she indicated there’s a bunch of different groups invested in how youth recreation is approached in Barrhead and how it could be handled better.
Enman said she and two other parents will be at the Dec. 13 meeting, though she doesn’t know if there will be an opportunity to present their petition or if it will have to come via a different avenue.
Website update
On Dec. 6, a news update was posted to the Pembina Hills website discussing the modernization and right-sizing.
It states the purpose of this modernization is to retain the school’s large CTS and drama spaces, utilize one gym as an open gathering area, and make necessary upgrades to the school’s electrical, mechanical, roofing and exterior components of the school.
The website further states that this design process will begin in January 2024 and the design team will be working with the school to determine the final design footprint.
Furthermore, “the modernization project will not result in any reduction of program offerings for junior and senior high students.”
Board chair Judy Lefebvre said they had wanted to put out this update sooner, because they had heard of misinformation being circulated in the community about what the BCHS modernization would entail.
However, Pembina Hills is only a partner in this project with Alberta Education and Alberta Infrastructure and must follow their direction.
It is worth noting that the agenda for the Dec. 13 meeting, which will take place at the regional office in Barrhead, includes a “gym expansion proposal” for BCHS.
Lefebvre indicated that she had previously inquired about the gym expansion and was told that transforming one of the gyms into a student common area was being considered.
However, she said she didn’t know the full details, adding that those will be presented to the trustees come Dec. 13.
When asked what would occur if some parents did attempt to present a petition requesting some kind of open house, Lefebvre said she didn’t know, as the Education Act requires a delegation appearing at a school board meeting to make such arrangements a week before said meeting.
She also said she was unsure if there could be some kind of public meeting where the final details of the modernization are presented.
While the full board would be involved in that decision, their provincial partners would also have to be in favour.
“I know the public is eager to hear what the final plans are, but we don’t even know what they are yet, because it is still in the design phase,” Lefebvre said.
