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New school coming to Fernie

Funding has been approved for an elementary school, spanning kindergarten to grade seven
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Minister of Education and Child Care Rachna Singh has shown support for the construction of a new school in Fernie, to support the city's growing population (James Smith photo)

Fernie youth will have a new place to study in the coming years, with the creation of a new elementary school.

The school will have room for nearly 300 students, kindergarten to grade seven, with a learning centre devoted to Indigenous education, community programs and a kitchen. The school district is also exploring the possibility of adding space for a possible child care facility.

The provincial government announced that funding had been approved for the project on Aug. 6.

"We are excited to receive approval for a new elementary school in Fernie," said School District Five board chair Doug McPhee. "The investment addressed the growing population in this community and the efforts of district staff, whose dedication has been pivotal in achieving this milestone. We look forward to a safe, positive and modern learning space for students and staff."

$33 million of project funding has been set aside by the provincial government, with an additional $200,000 coming from the school district.

"Our government is continuing to invest in schools as more cities like Fernie welcome new students to their classrooms," said minister of education and childcare Rachna Singh. "A new elementary school will provide the support and space this growing community needs and will benefit students and families for many years to come."

With funding finalized, the project will move on to the design phase. The building will be constructed with environmental considerations in mind that will lower the building's emissions by at least 60 per cent below the current LEED gold standards. It is expected to be ready to welcome students by 2027.

The exact location of the school has yet to be announced.

The previous major local school infrastructure project in Fernie was the addition of four classrooms at Isabella Dicken Elementary School last year, part of the provincial government's $5.1 billion commitment to upgrading and constructing new schools in 2017.



About the Author: Gillian Francis

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