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There could be more than one possible site being considered for a new consolidated west Saskatoon elementary school.
At Monday’s city council meeting, the Saskatoon Public School District (SPSD) was given the OK by councillors to see if Optimist Park might be a good fit and to conduct a feasibility study on the site.
SPSD facilities superintendent Stan Laba and deputy director Brent Hills presented their case for the potential new location.
“We’ve certainly started our consultation process. We are meeting with our school staff and of course the parent/guardians of children attending our three schools, school community councils, community associations of Pleasant Hill, King George, Riversdale and members of West Industrial, and of course working with the city,” said Hills.
But council also wants the the school district to to see if there are other sites in the West Industrial area that might be suitable. Ward 2 Coun. Hilary Gough said she was able to not only get information from a report on the matter, but also by attending a meeting with community members from several neighbourhoods.
“Some of the recommendations coming out of that feedback are to look at other sites in the area,” said Gough. “I think people generally are interested in SPSD looking at that area. It is very much central to the three catchment zones, but (they) are keen to see if there might be a win-win in terms of looking at some of the underutilized sites in that area.”
King George, Pleasant Hill and Princess Alexandra elementary schools will eventually become one large City Centre School. The new west-side facility, which was approved by the provincial government last March, will combine the three core neighbourhood facilities.
The Princess Alexandra school grounds, which are near active train tracks and close to a major thoroughfare in 22nd Street West, were initially presented as the location for the new school.
City administration will help the SPSD explore other potential locations including vacant land in the West Industrial area and report back as soon as possible about potential opportunities.
Cost for a new facility that will accommodate between 400 and 500 students is estimated between $22.5 million and $25 million. It isn’t expected to be completed for several years.
