By Shelley Winger
A proposed school consolidation project in Redwater has been identified as a key
infrastructure priority by Sturgeon Public School Division, as part of its latest capital
funding request to the province.
The project would see Ochre Park School and Redwater School combined into a single,
newly constructed K–12 facility to be located on the current Redwater School site. The
estimated cost of the project is $34 million, with funding approval from the provincial
government still pending.
The proposal aims to address ongoing challenges at both existing schools, including aging
infrastructure, rising maintenance costs, and underutilized space.
Redwater School, originally constructed in 1951 and expanded several times over the years,
is currently rated in poor condition. The facility is projected to require approximately $8.5
million in deferred maintenance over the next five years. Ochre Park School, built in 1982, is
rated in fair condition but is also facing significant maintenance needs, estimated at $6.5
million over the same period.
Both schools have been identified as having deficiencies related to building design,
accessibility, mechanical and electrical systems, and indoor environmental quality,
including natural light and ventilation. The presence of hazardous materials has also been
noted.
Under the proposed plan, the new school would accommodate approximately 515 students.
Current combined enrolment at the two schools is 398 students. The new facility is
expected to operate at about 85 per cent capacity, aligning more closely with current and
projected enrolment levels while allowing space for future growth.
According to the division, consolidating the two schools into one modern facility would
improve operational efficiency and support expanded programming, staffing flexibility, and
student services in the region.
The project is listed as Priority Two in the division’s capital plan, alongside other
infrastructure requests aimed at addressing facility conditions, enrolment trends, and long-
term sustainability.
No timeline has been confirmed, as the project remains subject to provincial funding
approval.
If approved, the project would mark a significant step toward modernizing educational
infrastructure in Redwater and supporting students in the community for decades to come.