Alberta adds five new high schools
By Adam Freill
Construction Institutional P3sProvince using P3 delivery to complete bundles of much-needed schools as families continue to move to Alberta.
Construction has wrapped up on five new high schools that were procured using Public-Private Partnerships (P3) in Alberta. The province reports that the new facilities, one in Blackfalds, Langdon, Leduc and two in Edmonton, will provide classrooms for over an additional 6,900 students this fall.
With the province’s population rising the government has put a focus on building new schools across the province to meet community needs quickly and efficiently. According to Alberta Infrastructure, it uses P3 delivery when building schools when it makes sense to get multiple projects done on time and with savings for taxpayers.
Through this latest P3 build, Alberta’s government reported savings of $114.5 million compared to estimated costs to deliver the high schools using other methods, while supporting about 1,700 construction-related jobs.
“Alberta’s government is committed to building the school infrastructure students across the province need,” stated Pete Guthrie, the province’s minister of infrastructure. “P3 builds represent our commitment to ensuring schools are built, and Alberta taxpayers get the best value for their investment. I cannot wait for students to enjoy their new spaces.”
“We are proud of the strong, collaborative partnership between Concert-Bird Partners and the Government of Alberta, which enabled the on-time, on-budget delivery of these five high schools,” added Ian Podmore, group head, development and construction, concert infrastructure and project lead, Concert-Bird Partners. “Their successful completion underscores the P3 model’s effectiveness in delivering critical public infrastructure, creating vibrant, welcoming environments where students thrive academically and socially.”
Procurement is underway to deliver another bundle of seven new Alberta schools using the P3 model. Once opened, these new schools will be located in Airdrie, Blackfalds, Calgary, Chestermere, Okotoks and two in Edmonton, and will create more than 7,000 spaces for Alberta students.
