Black Gold Regional Division No. 18 (BGRD) hosted the groundbreaking of the newest school in Beaumont on June 17, 2016. The event celebrated the beginning of the construction phase of the 7849m2 Grades K – 9 school which is located in the Four Seasons neighbourhood in Beaumont, Alberta. École Champs Vallée School is tentatively scheduled to open September 2017 with a future full capacity of 900 students.
The ceremony included welcome messages from BGRD Superintendent, Dr. Norman Yanitski and celebratory messages from BGRD Board Chair, Mrs. Johnette Lemke; Member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta for Leduc-Beaumont, Mr. Shaye Anderson; and Mayor of Town of Beaumont, His Worship, Camille Bérubé.
Members of the Vallée family were also in attendance as the École Champs Vallée School name is representative of the family, and was selected through a “Name the School” community contest held in 2015. The Vallée family’s original homestead was once located on the site where the new school is now being built.
Designed by Architecture Tkalcic Bengert (ATB) and being constructed by Johnston Builders Ltd., École Champs Vallée School was announced on October 8, 2014 when the current Premier made a new school Capital Project announcement addressing the shortage of schools in Alberta. A new school for Beaumont was included in the announcement as the Town had experienced significant growth and student enrolment numbers were growing at an exponential rate.
“Collaborating, we have developed an innovative plan for an inclusive school dedicated to inspiring success in every student. École Champs Vallée School is Black Gold Regional Division No. 18’s (BGRD) newest Grades K – 9 school that will educate and inspire success in students for generations to come,” said Board Chair, Johnette Lemke. “Without the support from the Government of Alberta, their Education and Infrastructure Departments; Town of Beaumont; Johnston Builders Ltd.; Architecture Tkalcic Bengert; and several other community players, this day would not be possible. I am tremendously excited to welcome our first class of students in 2017, who will have the opportunity to learn and acquire knowledge to help them succeed for the rest of their lives.”
Students of École Bellevue School, also participated in the ceremony by documenting the morning through photography and video. Implementing and refreshing their technology skills, they plan to make a video recapping the day’s events and giving a presentation to the new school as a gift of memories to cherish for years to come. The event concluded with an actual breaking of ground and festive cupcakes to make the celebration official.
The new school will further assist in amplifying the positive benefits of BGRD’s education program and provide an ideal supportive environment for student-focused learning to a growing population.
News Release: École Champs Vallée School Groundbreaking
