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Gym funding coming together for Westbrook School

The Westbrook School community is one step closer to an expanded gymnasium after Rocky View Schools (RVS) Board of Trustees accepted two donations totalling $200,000 at the regular meeting Feb. 7.
New Design
The Rocky View Schools Board of Trustees accepted $200,000 in donations for the Westbrook School expanded gym. Pictured: a rendering of the design of the new school.

The Westbrook School community is one step closer to an expanded gymnasium after Rocky View Schools (RVS) Board of Trustees accepted two donations totalling $200,000 at the regular meeting Feb. 7. "Good on the parents to get their act together and work to put that proposal forward," trustee Judi Hunter said in her motion to accept the donations, noting a similar project at another school that was added after the building was constructed cost more than $1 million. "To get this for $200,000 is excellent." Per RVS policy, the donations from Rocky View County (RVC) and the Friends of Westbrook School Society (FWSS) – the fundraising arm for Westbrook School and the group that lobbied RVC to secure its donation – required board approval. “RVS has agreed to loan FWSS a matching $100,000 towards this project, with an understanding that the society will apply for grant funding and fundraise over the next five-plus years to repay this loan,” said Susan de Caen with RVC Recreation and Community Services at the Nov. 27, 2018 RVC council meeting, when council approved the donation. According to the RVS Superintendent Report, the design for Westbrook School began in the spring of 2018 and, through consultation with the community, "it became apparent that additional space in the gym, allowing for the addition of bleachers, would be of benefit to both the school and larger community." The original design included a gymnasium of 430 square meters (sq. m), to meet Alberta Education specifications, but community consultation indicated a desire for a 84 sq. m expansion. "What we want in the school division is to include the community in the design of our schools and have access to our school and our buildings," said Vice Chair Fiona Gilbert, adding the gym will likely also be used for community events. "Awesome for the parents that put it together and kudos to the County for partnering with us." The school replacement is an RVS-funded project and the board approved an expenditure up to $6 milion in 2017 to construct the new school.

Decision delayed

A gallery filled with those interested in the Prince of Peace Lutheran School future direction quickly emptied as the board postponed the decision until March 7 to allow further negotiations with SAGE Properties. "We recognize this is not an ideal situation. As much as it is hard for this board of trustees to see another month of deliberation and work on this, we know the amount we have to put in...it's even more difficult for parents, faculty and staff to wait another month," said Board Chair Todd Brand. "At the same time, the board felt it was the right and the best approach in order to make the very best decision possible." The lease for the building currently housing the Prince of Peace Lutheran School in Chestermere will run out at the end of August 2019, said RVS Associate Superintendent of Business Operations Larry Paul at the Oct. 18, 2018 board meeting. He said the building owner will only extend the lease if there is a written offer to purchase in place. “We have attempted to get support from the Minister of Education to purchase the building; that support has not been forthcoming,” he said. “We are in a situation where we are going to have to vacate that building.” -With files from Ben Sherick and Christina Waldner




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