Those engaged in the tentative planning of a new school at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex have a fine line to walk.
First, it must be noted that the project is far from being a certainty. No funding has been committed, and considerable dollars will be needed if the school is to become a reality. And, as has been noted by represenatives of Aspen View School Division, neither Landing Trail Intermediate School nor Edwin Parr Composite are in desperate need of replacement. A new school would be nice, and would likely benefit the community, but itís not a dire, pressing need like it is in other places around the province.
So the possibility exists that all of the talk and uncertainty surrounding the new school could amount to nothing. The money for the project might not come through, and the schools of EPC and LTIS might continue on for decades to come.
But at the same time, this isnít a ëpie in the skyí proposition. Local decision makers arenít wasting their time ëdaydreamingí about something that is unlikely to happen. There is enough support in the public and political realms to make it a real possibility.
With that in mind, it makes perfect sense for Aspen View representatives and town and county councillors to cast their thoughts forward to a new school and how best to design it. A project of this magnitude will take no shortage of planning, from building design to its placement on the map, and should the green light be given, this pre-planning will no doubt prove to be valuable.
Until then, both the decision makers and members of the public must remember itís all just talk Ö for now.
