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Vera M. Welsh Elementary School project update

The new Vera M. Welsh Elementary School in Lac La Biche will be a modern, innovative space designed to foster student learning, enhance community involvement, and create a welcoming environment for students, parents, staff, and visitors.

The design focuses on centralized spaces to promote collaboration and community. Highlights include:

  • A learning commons that opens into a gathering area;
  • A stage that folds into the gymnasium wall;
  • Viewing windows for parents to observe gym activities;
  • A dedicated music room; and
  • A servery to support the school’s lunch program.

The school will feature 11 classrooms, each equipped with sinks, while Kindergarten rooms will include water tables to support hands-on learning. There are also two sensory rooms to support diverse student needs. To accommodate future enrollment growth, the design allows for the addition of four portable classrooms.

A partnership with Lac La Biche County to create a parking lot for staff that also serves as overflow parking for the new pool at the Bold Centre will allow for more exterior space to be used for outdoor learning activities and a playground. The parking lot will include the infrastructure to add six EV charging stations in the future when there is a demand for that service.

Safety and traffic flow have been prioritized with a separate bus loading and unloading area, a  designated parent drop-off zone, and visitor parking to reduce congestion and ensure student safety.

In March 2023, design funding was approved, and a site adjacent to the Bold Centre was approved in September 2023 and finalized in April 2024.

“With the design stage complete, the next step is securing construction funding from Alberta Education to approve us for funding for construction so the project can go to tender,” said Board Chair Karen Packard. “We are hopeful it will be part of the government’s budget announcements this spring, or approved shortly afterwards through the new School Capital Accelerator Program.”

The Vera M. Welsh Elementary School replacement project has been a capital priority for the school division for over 20 years. Previously, it was included in a design scope aimed at exploring a “Lac La Biche Solution” for school infrastructure needs.

“We are excited to move on to the next phase of this project and closer to having a new elementary school for our students and families in Lac La Biche,” said Packard. “We would like to thank our students, parents, staff and community for being so supportive and patient as we have advocated for this project. We look forward to celebrating a new school with you soon.”