Sturgeon Public Schools Celebrates Design Funding for Morinville Public School Replacement

By Haylee Winger

Sturgeon Public Schools, along with Morinville-St. Albert MLA Dale Nally, came together on April 2 at Morinville Public School to celebrate the Government of Alberta’s March 20 announcement of design funding for the replacement of the school. The project will replace the existing building, which has been serving the community since 1958.
This funding is a critical milestone in the school division’s efforts to modernize educational infrastructure and accommodate long-term community growth.
The existing school, which serves students from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 4, has relied on modular classrooms for nearly half of its space, leading to operational inefficiencies and a fragmented layout. These conditions have become increasingly problematic as the community grows.
Several issues have been identified with the current structure, including a sunken gymnasium susceptible to water damage and mold, as well as second-floor washrooms that present accessibility challenges. To alleviate these concerns, the new design will feature a purpose-built school located on the northwest side of the existing site. The new school will also shift the grade configuration, expanding the range to K–6, which will help ease enrollment pressures by allowing Four Winds Public School to focus on Grades 7–9.
Tasha Oatway-McLay, Board Chair of Sturgeon Public Schools, expressed her gratitude for the government’s support, emphasizing the importance of creating a modern and inclusive learning environment for students. “The replacement of Morinville Public Schoool will ensure our students continue to learn in a high-quality environment that supports their academic and personal growth,” she said. “We look forward to working closely with the province to bring this project to life and provide our students with the best possible learning opportunities.”
Dale Nally, MLA for Morinville-St. Albert, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the urgency of building new schools to meet the growing needs of the community. “There’s no time to wait, we need to build schools now. The replacement of Morinville Public is a much needed project for our community and will provide students with a world-class space for them to learn, grow and reach their full potential.”
The new Morinville Public School will be designed to accommodate up to 740 students. Construction will occur while the existing school remains operational, ensuring minimal disruption for students and families during the transition.
This investment represents a significant commitment to the future of education in Morinville and the surrounding community, promising enhanced learning environments for generations to come.