Construction continues on the new joint facility that will replace Argyle Elementary School and École St. Pius X in Regina.
Residents who pass the site in south Regina can now see construction crews from the Saskatchewan company Quorex Construction Services Ltd. hard at work, putting steel structures into place as the school begins to take shape.
The school will have a unique design, featuring a two-storey school for the Regina Public Schools portion and a three-storey school for the Regina Catholic Schools section. Once finished, the building will be able to accommodate 800 students – 400 on each side. Both schools will be built to expand their capacity to 500 students through the addition of relocatable classrooms.
“It is wonderful to see the progress being made on these two new schools. Both École St. Pius X and Argyle Elementary School have been staples in the Lakeview community for decades. This new joint-use facility will continue this legacy by providing high-quality education to Regina students,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said. “Ensuring world class learning environments is one of the ways we are building a better educated Saskatchewan for our children.”
The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $47 million toward the two new Prekindergarten to Grade 8 elementary schools being built at the site of the current Argyle Elementary School. Work on this project is in the early construction phase and is on track to be completed by summer 2023.
Once complete, this state-of-the-art facility will be 11,050 square meters, including a child care centre that will have space for 51 children. That’s nearly the equivalent of two RCMP Heritage Centres! The facility will also have outdoor learning areas and a mini-gym that can double as a space for school and community events.
“Being able to drive past the site and follow the progress of the new joint- use school construction is very exciting. Our whole division is looking forward to moving day, especially the staff and students at École St. Pius X,” Regina Catholic Schools Board Chair Vicky Bonnell said. “We are excited that they will be able to continue their educational journey in this brand new 21st century learning environment. We are so very grateful for this rebuild.”
“As we see this new joint-use school grow in the Lakeview neighbourhood, we are reminded about the importance and benefits safe, well-designed and welcoming schools can have for our young people and our communities,” Regina Board of Education Chairperson Tara Molson said. “We are excited and eager to see the progress of the construction and we are grateful for the partnership with the Government of Saskatchewan and Regina Catholic Schools that is making this new school building possible.”
The new facility is expected to welcome students starting in fall 2023.
Featured image: (Regina Public Schools)
