RDCRS receives construction funding for new Blackfalds school

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools (RDCRS) has received full construction funding from the provincial government for a new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in Blackfalds.   

“The full construction funding for the new Kindergarten to Grade 5 school in the vibrant growing community of Blackfalds marks a significant milestone in our government’s commitment to providing state-of-the-art education infrastructure for our communities,” said Adriana LaGrange, MLA for Red Deer North and Minister of Health. “This investment illustrates our dedication to meeting the evolving needs of our students and ensuring they have access to modern, innovative learning environments.”  

RDCRS received design funding from the provincial government in March 2023, and work is underway between the Town of Blackfalds and Alberta Infrastructure to ensure the steps to secure the land and get it ready for construction are completed.  

“We are very pleased to receive full construction funding for a new Catholic elementary school in Blackfalds. The funding will allow the division an opportunity to build a much-needed new school and meet the learning needs of our Blackfalds students,” said Murray Hollman Board Chair of RDCRS. 

LaGrange explained that when the existing St. Gregory the Great Catholic School opened in 2017, about 250 students were anticipated, but more than 400 enrolled.  

Currently, the school is at 132 per cent capacity.   

“This will right-size the school here, but it is so important to the community because people look at communities that they want to move to, and if they have schools for their kids,” LaGrange said. “It's so important for the growth, to ensure we have the proper education for them available.”  

Blackfalds Mayor Jamie Hoover added how important the new school is for the community.   

“This is extremely needed in order for sustainability in our community, and that's just again one of those pillars for us to continue the economic growth that that we need to support our population and really to provide services that are absolutely needed in our community,” Hoover said. “We need to deal with those fundamental needs, and schools is absolutely one of those primary things that we're focused on.”  

The new school is expected to be completed by September 2027.