ST. PAUL – The design of a potential new kindergarten to Grade 12 school to be built in Mallaig is now in its preliminary phase, with discussions recently taking place at the municipal level.
The County of St. Paul’s involvement with a new school would include municipal infrastructure such as water and wastewater lines. St. Paul Education recently reached out to the County of St. Paul to see if “the County foresees anything that could impact space requirements,” according to information presented to council on Oct. 10.
St. Paul Education also asked if the County had thoughts or ideas before finalization of the project design. The design of the project is managed by Alberta Infrastructure and funded by the Government of Alberta.
During the Oct. 10 regular County of St. Paul council meeting, CAO Sheila Kitz presented areas of consideration, including a shared school and municipal library, potential daycare space, and enhancement of recreational space.
Sylvie Smyl, chair of St. Paul Education’s board, told Lakeland This Week that as the project is still on its preliminary stages, nothing is set in stone. The school division has only been approved for funding of the design of a new school, and once the design is done, St. Paul Education hopes to apply for funding to kick-start the construction phase – given all requirements are met.
“We are thrilled to have this project. It’s definitely an added bonus to our community... [and] we look forward to having to go through the process,” said Smyl.
Outside access for library and daycare space
During discussions at the Oct. 10 council meeting, Coun. Dale Hedrick recommended the potential to include outside access to the library, so that people could go to the library without wandering through the school after hours.
As for daycare space, daycare infrastructure is not funded by the province, said Kitz. If the County is interested in offering a daycare service, it has the option to fund the space with its own dollars.
Hedrick spoke in favour of exploring daycare options, noting it could be beneficial for the community to have daycare or after-school care offered. It could also entice people to move into the community, said Hedrick.
Coun. Darrell Younghans agreed, noting outside access to the library is worth looking into, as well as a daycare. “There can’t be a lot of daycare options in and around Mallaig,” acknowledged Younghans.
Coun. Louis Dechaine also supported the idea of exploring a daycare.
Gymnasium space
Speaking of recreation, Hedrick said that he understands a new gymnasium may not be built for the new school building. And so far, it looks like the old and new school buildings would share the current gymnasium.
Hedrick suggested expansion of the gym as one of the areas of consideration the County could include in its letter to St. Paul Education. Hedrick also said he understands the provincial government will not be paying “to make the gymnasium bigger,” and he suggested finding a way to extend the gymnasium space.
“The reason for extending the gym is, you go there to watch your kids play and there's no room for seating... What this comes down to is, there's no room in there to watch your kids play [for] the grandparents and parents,” said Hedrick.
He believes building a new school without extending the gym is illogical.
“That’s why it would be nice to even knock one wall, the end wall or something, to make it bigger,” said Hedrick.
Reeve Glen Ockerman agreed, saying, “I like your idea, [Hedrick],” adding that by extending the space, the gym could provide more opportunities to the community.
Younghans said enhancing the gymnasium space is worth exploring, but he wondered where the funding would come from. He recalled that when the Elk Point gymnasium was built many years ago, it cost around $3 to $5 million.
Dechaine wondered about the same thing, recalling that when the gym was built in Mallaig, not enough funding was available at the time to allow for more space for seating.
“It just seems crazy to build a new school and then you don’t have a gymnasium that’s big enough to suit the needs,” said Hedrick.
Kitz said that if the County uses $5 million to fund areas such as outside access to the library, the daycare, and expansion of the gym, “We can pay for it.”
Younghans was doubtful, noting the increased costs associated with construction.
“Five million dollars in this day and age might get you two bathrooms,” he said, hypothetically.
Younghans also asked what the timeline for the design of the school project is.
Dechaine said St. Paul Education is attempting to finalize the design so that construction approval could be granted in the next provincial budget cycle.
The County was also asked about municipal infrastructure issues, and Kitz said administration will inform St. Paul Education where the connections would have to be for water and wastewater servicing.
Younghans made a motion to send a letter to St. Paul Education with council’s consideration. The motion was carried.
