The Friends of East Wheatland excited about the future of schooling

Times Contributor        

 

It seems like the never-ending story of schooling in East Wheatland might have a light at the end of its tunnel.

In April of 2013, Alberta Education and the Provincial Government approved the construction of a new stand-alone, consolidated K-12, state-of-the-art school in East Wheatland with a projected opening date of September 2016. The parents and residents in the communities of Gleichen, Hussar, Rockyford and Standard are still awaiting verdict of a third reading of the proposal to the county. The group Friends of East Wheatland was created with a cross section of representatives from each community being affected by the probability of a new consolidated school for the students in the area. The groups main mission is to be committed to work at fundraising for enhancements that will not be covered by the government. 

Standard representative Christina Adamson said, “our group is committed to enhance the school, not to build it. The provincial government is providing the basic bare bones of the school and our group is fundraising for the enhancements to make it a state-of-the-art facility for the kids.” 

Some of the items the group is looking for help with first are funding for the construction of a larger gymnasium, a commercial kitchen, a multi-purpose room and drama centre.

Superintendent of Golden Hills School Division (GHSD) Bevan Daverne, at the meeting in Rockyford, said that he has “appreciated the enthusiasm of the Friends of East Wheatland and the parents to make the new consolidated school with the additional support something extraordinary for the area. GHSD is supportive of the work of the volunteer group and the many parents and staff for their contribution for a fantastic design that they are very happy with.”

The county meeting for third reading approval for the re-designation of the proposed land site has been set for Tuesday, April 8 at the county offices.

For more information please contact Friends of East Wheatland at friendsofeastwheatland@gmail.com.