FORMERLY THE ROCKY VIEW FIVE VILLAGE WEEKLY
Volume 35, Number 27	OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER FOR THE MD OF ROCKY VIEW #44	Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Headlines | Opinions | Classified Ads | Book Classifieds Online | Display Ads | About Us | Archives | Links

Rocky View School Division news
Development proposed on division owned land in Chestermere
Liz Lindgren-Kubitz

The Chestermere Learning Connection will likely be moved in the fall of 2010, due to a lease that will expire in August of that year at its current location in Town Hall.

The branch located in Chestermere currently occupies about 282 square meters on the second level of Chestermere Town Hall. However, when the lease expires the Rocky View School Division (RVSD) expects the Town will need that space.

"The Town might not release the space in Town Hall when it comes up for renewal," said Darrell Couture, secretary/treasurer and business manager with RVSD.

In 2005, the school division purchased half an acre of land across from the Chestermere municipal building to accommodate the Learning Connection and a remote office.

The RVSD board discussed options of building on its parcel to accommodate its current scale of operations or expand its vision to include additional space for community adult education, satellite RVSD offices and other initiatives.

Couture said building a larger space could provide opportunities to lease unused portions to other users until it is needed for RVSD operations.

The board authorized the superintendent to issue a request for proposals to develop plans for Chestermere Learning Connection, RVSD offices and future expansion spaces on its land located at a commercial site in Chestermere.

Trustee Bev LaPeare, who represents schools in the Chestermere area, was in support of the development and the motion to seek proposals was unanimously carried by the board.

Rocky View Learning Connection offers flexible learning options for Grades 1 to 12 in three locations in the MD of Rocky View. It provides teaching support and resources for home-schooled students and students who study online and through correspondence.

Normally, construction of schools is the responsibility of the government. However, the province does not provide space for Learning Connections or alternative high schools, according to Couture.

The board of trustees will revisit this issue when it reconvenes in the fall.