Prairie Valley School Division eyes new school for growing communities

Prairie Valley School Division is seeking a new White City school as the current ones reach capacity. Wanye Mantyka reports.

The Prairie Valley School Division says growing enrolment pressures in White City and Emerald Park are renewing the push for new school construction in the area.

The two elementary schools serving the communities are operating at capacity, and there is currently no high school located in either White City or Emerald Park. Students are bused to attend Greenall High School in nearby Balgonie.

School construction has long been identified as a priority for the division. Prairie Valley board chair Janet Kotylak says a new school in the White City–Emerald Park area is at the top of the division’s request list this year.

“On our list for this year is a new school in the White City Emerald Park area, an elementary school in the Lumsden area and the consolidation of two schools in the Grenfell area into one K to 12,” Kotylak said.

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Previous funding requests to the province have not been approved. This year, the division is taking a different approach by asking for a school in the White City–Emerald Park area without specifying the grade configuration.

“We know that we are going to need a school in that area and we know there’s growth, and we’re keeping our options open so that we can, at the time, assess what’s the best route to go,” Kotylak said.

The province has approved a $21 million project to modernize Greenall High School in Balgonie, which will slightly expand its capacity. However, Prairie Valley and White City officials say the upgrade does not eliminate the need for a high school closer to the growing communities.

White City Mayor Mitch Simpson says continued residential growth is increasing pressure on existing schools.

“White City continues to experience residential growth, and enrolment pressures within the existing schools are increasing as more families want to make White City and the White City community their home,” Simpson said.

Any provincial approval for new school construction would come as part of the spring budget. The NDP Opposition says the projects should move forward.

“In White City and Emerald Park, year one, Carla Beck and the Saskatchewan NDP will have those schools under construction. Full stop,” said NDP MLA Aleana Young.

Prairie Valley School Division officials say modernization at Greenall High does not replace the need for additional schools in the region, noting continued rapid growth across the area. Discussions with the province are expected to continue as the division determines its next school construction priority.