Construction began this afternoon on a much anticipated replacement middle school in the Red Deer Public School District within the West Park neighbourhood, with a sod turning ceremony earlier this afternoon (October 4th).

Associate Superintendent of System Services for the District Della Ruston says this school is unique in the fact that some students have provided input on the plans and design, when plans for a replacement school instead of an upgrade were first announced.

“We actually have students who are now currently in High School, in grade 9, that were actually on the original design team. So as we have gone by in the years, we’ve had students come and go on that design team, so it’s exciting. And you may have seen some of the grade 9 students that were back today to help with the sod turning.”

Some of those designs were creative but unattainable, such as an anti-gravity room and thumb print locks for lockers.

But other ideas are possible, such as a see through elevator in the middle of the school, which allows students to see how an elevator works, and also allows them to be accommodating to anyone with disabilities.

Ruston says they are also hoping to get a grant for an all-inclusive playground.

Project Designer George Berry says the students had a lot of great ideas when it came to assisting those students with special needs.

“They came up with a lot of different directions and a lot of different ideas that were really integrating the school in with the Foundation and Pathway students, those students that need a little bit extra service, it was very important to them. Having them on the main floor, having big spaces, having educational opportunities for them everywhere throughout the building was very important.”

The new school also entered into partnerships with Red Deer Minor Baseball and the City of Red Deer, who both agreed to chip in money to upgrade the kitchen, washrooms and concession areas to accommodate baseball tournaments in the future.