Education officials and the Holy Rosary High School community are relishing the completion of the fourth phase of the school expansion which was achieved with input from both the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Recently appointed education minister Jeremy Cockrill in his speech to cut the ribbon says, “The government of Saskatchewan is committed to creating a welcoming environment for students.”
Cockrill who is also the Battlefords MLA is three weeks in as the education minister and speaking at his first school opener.
“We believe in investing in communities all across the province, including in Lloydminster with $10 million here at Holy Rosary. We have a project ongoing with the public division here in Lloydminster so, I’m looking forward to being back in Lloydminster at some point for that school opening,” says Cockrill as he stressed the growing opportunities for students in building towards their future.
In Cree, French, and English students spoke at the ceremony to express their gratitude for the opportunities which include a new outdoor prayer garden, an Indigenous Centre that is ventilated to allow smudging, several upgraded tech classrooms, a Kinesiology lab, an art room, Innovation centre/gaming room, golf simulator, baseball pitching and batting tech, trades including welding and other enhancements to accommodate the over 1000 students.
School principal Jeremy Blais says the school’s “commitment to innovation will empower our students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and creative professionals. As we embark on this exciting journey, let us remember that the success of our school will not be measured solely by the number of advanced degrees our students earn, or the technological advancements they achieve; it will be measured by the strength of their character.”
MLA Garth Rowswell speaking on behalf of the Alberta government noted that he was present at the sod turning and was happy to be back for the fourth and final phase of the completion of the school renos.
“Now as many as 1200 students will be able to unlock their full potential here with the new art centre, Kinesiology lab, innovation centre, new library and one of the many classrooms and common spaces designated to video conferencing and digital presentations.”
Rowswell noted that as the government continues to invest in education, they are working on the design for a new elementary school in Wainwright and the design component should wrap up by next July.
The $10 million build at Holy Rosary came in on time with support from community partners like Synergy Credit Union, Archer Daniels Midlands (ADM), and Barr Engineering who put up the eight beams that support the ceiling and allow the natural light into the Venetian Square space and architectural work from Wallace-Klypak.
