The Province of Alberta announced intentions to build about $2 billion in school infrastructure that includes 55 new schools and 20 school modernization projects.
It is the third phase in what has amounted to the largest school construction endeavour in Canadian history, made up of 230 different capital projects.
The initiative is intended to catch-up with 10 years of record enrolment growth in Alberta.
The provincial government is giving school boards about $43 million immediately to jump start planning.
The public will be able to track all school builds and renovations through a School Program Status report that has been made available from the Department of Infrastructure.
Scott Matheson is the chairman of the Alberta Construction Association.
He said the association supports building the infrastructure to meet the needs of Albertans, especially the 90,000 plus new residents each year in the province.
"Provided collaborative processes are in place, I am confident that industry has sufficient capacity to respond," Matheson noted
"The Alberta Construction Association is also pleased that one of the projects announced is for a Collegiate School for Science, Technology and the Trades. ACA and the College of Alberta School Superintendents are promoting partnerships among industry, school districts, and post-secondary institutions to equip Alberta’s youth for great careers in the construction and related industries."
According to the province, all activities related to the consolidated program will be fast-tracked through cabinet to ensure sufficient resources are in place and school siting approval processes are streamlined.
In addition, another $100 million has been allocated to fast-track school maintenance projects.
"We are moving quickly to provide school boards that have high-growth enrolment with the predictability they need for longer-term infrastructure planning. I am pleased to equip them with the extra resources they need to meet this challenging situation now and in years to come," said Gordon Dirks, minister of education.
Phase one, announced in 2011, included 35 schools, of which 31 are complete.
Phase two, announced in 2013, included 50 new schools and 70 modernizations.
All but five of those schools will be ready to accept students in 2016.
The new commitment includes 12 new schools in Calgary and 15 in Edmonton.
A four-member cabinet committee, consisting of Minister Dirks, Minister of Infrastructure Manmeet Bhullar, Minister of Municipal Affairs Diana McQueen and Minister of Seniors Jeff Johnson, has been assigned to oversee the building of these schools to ensure opening targets are met.
The committee will consult regularly with school boards, municipalities and the construction industry to expedite permitting and other approvals.
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