Chinook’s Edge School Division is pleased to learn that it has received construction funding for a new middle school in Penhold. The funding was announced by the provincial government today. The school will replace the current Penhold Elementary School facility, and will be built south of Penhold Crossing Secondary School.

"The Board is very pleased with this announcement, and we are excited to see this project move forward,” says Holly Bilton, Chair, Chinook’s Edge School Board. “The community of Penhold is growing, and a new school in Penhold will help us address capacity challenges. Chinook's Edge is looking forward to continuing to work with Alberta Education, Alberta Infrastructure and the community to build a facility that will serve as a great learning environment for many years.

”The design for the new school is nearing completion. Over the past year, Chinook’s Edge worked with Alberta Education, Alberta Infrastructure and an architectural firm to design the facility with provincial funds specifically for that work. Part of the process involved consultation with staff and parents. Chinook’s Edge is hopeful that construction will begin in the early fall. The division anticipates the project will take two years to complete.

As a part of the design process, it was determined that a grade reconfiguration in Penhold is required. Once the new facility is complete, the Chinook’s Edge community of schools in Penhold will include:

●Jessie Duncan Elementary School: Kindergarten to Grade 3

●New Penhold School: Grades 4 to 8

●Penhold Crossing Secondary School: Grades 9 to 12.