In order to fit the growing number of students into local schools, the need for modular units within the Rocky View Schools (RVS) division continues. Despite the need for more space, enrolment was not at the same high level seen in previous years.
RVS trustees approved a request to the province for 27 new modular units to be placed across schools in the division, and one request to relocate a washroom unit during their Oct. 31 board meeting. In some cases, units are required to replace aging modular units for the 2025-26 school year.
In Airdrie, two new units were requested for Ralph MCall School, currently at 76 per cent capacity, four new units were requested at Nose Creek School, currently at 95 per cent capacity, and two more units were requested for École Edwards Elementary School, currently at 77 per cent capacity. Each school is projected to hit 100 per cent capacity or more within the next two years.
Ralph McCall receiving two additional units raises overall capacity from 718 to 768. Projected enrolment for the school is 754 students in 2025 and 802 in 2026. Nose Creek receiving four additional units raises overall capacity from 616 to 716. Projected enrolment for the school is 720 students in 2025 and 732 in 2026.
At École Edwards School, the enrolments are relatively stable but capacity jumps from 77 per cent this year to 98 per cent next year due to balancing student spaces, explained RVS administration.
Additionally, six new units and a washroom unit relocation were requested for various schools in Chestermere, seven new units were requested for two schools in Cochrane, while four replacement units and two units were requested for Crossfield Elementary School.
Crossfield Elementary currently has four units from 1981 that were previously identified as needing a replacement.
Modular unit requests for Chestermere would go to Rainbow Creek School and Prairie Waters School, while requests for Cochrane are for Manachaban School and the Cochrane Christian Academy.
Alberta Education requires school districts to review their accommodation needs to determine the demand for additional modular classrooms, as well as replacements. The submission deadline for these units was Nov. 1.
RVS superintendent Greg Luterbach noted that as part of the school capital acceleration program, the province is looking to invest significantly more into modular units going forward.
Over the last year, RVS has received five modular units as part of the Alberta Infrastructure’s Modular Relocation Program in November 2023, nine new modular units and one modular washroom unit relocation in March 2024, as well as 12 new modular units and 12 modular relocations in June 2024.
RVS awaits the design and construction of five projects approved in Budget 2024. None of those projects will be completed until at least 2027.
While modular classrooms are a necessary part of meeting space needs, they cannot fully resolve the challenges of over utilized schools, stated an RVS news release. Units add classroom space to the core buildings of schools, but they do not address the additional strain on the common areas of the school, such as gymnasiums, playgrounds and learning commons. There is also a limit to how many units can be added – at many RVS schools, that limit has already been reached.
