Cold Lake Elementary School had a special visitor Friday morning, as they celebrated the opening of their new school.
The school was commemorating their grand opening, and with the help of Minister of Education David Eggen, cut the ribbon to their new facility.
In January 2014, Cold Lake Elementary received the news that they would begin the process of constructing a new school, and this September, the school opened its doors to welcome students for the first time.
“This is a very exciting day for all of us,” said CLES principal Kathy McKale. “I have cried many tears of joy throughout this project.”
The school was decorated with hearts, listing some of the ways the children, staff and parents have described the new school.
“The students are so happy and thankful,” McKale described, adding it is the staff and students who bring life and happiness to CLES everyday.
The school features a music room, stage, large gymnasium, state of the art classrooms, science labs, a library and a learning commons. Students and staff worked together on choosing the new mascot, Heartly the Dragon.
“This is the day that everyone at Northern Lights Public Schools (NLPS) has been looking forward to,” said Rick Cusson, NLPS superintendent.
“I can't tell you what an important occasion this is, not just for your town and your school, but I can say for our government, and myself as well,” said Eggen. “When I see new schools being built and filled with learning and wonderful teachers… I know that it is not just the physical building… but it's a community centre as well. A place that everyone can be proud of.”
Chair of the NLPS board of trustees Mandi Skogen was a student herself at CLES, and was proud to see the construction of the new facility unfold.
“This is a project that is very near and dear to my heart, because once upon a time, I too was a student at Cold Lake Elementary,” Skogen said.
“I knew exactly where I wanted to send (my kids) to school… I wanted them to go to a school that had empathy, compassion.”
Skogen added the new building captures the very entity of what CLES is all about, heart.
“It's clear that this is the school with the heart, it is filled with kindness.”
Eggen said the provincial government is proud to not only be investing in schools and education, but also the communities and the families within the City of Cold Lake through projects such as CLES.
Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr, and former MLA Eugenia Leskiw shared their enthusiasm for the new school with a gymnasium full of excited students, and thanked the staff involved in making it all happen.
Cyr said he hopes to celebrate many more school grand openings in the area in the future.
City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland reflected Cyr's optimism for future projects, and said the city is grateful for the new school, because they know that it is something that doesn't happen everyday.
“A lot of people made this happen, and it is a really proud day in Cold Lake.”
