Province moves two Rocky View Schools projects into design
Rocky View Schools says new provincial funding will push forward design work for two major builds, including a Kindergarten to Grade 9 school in Airdrie’s Lanark neighbourhood. The Alberta government confirmed on July 9 that the Lanark K–9 and a Grade 10–12 high school in Chestermere’s Chelsea area are advancing under its school construction program.
Both projects had already received planning funding in 2025 through the provincial School Construction Accelerator Program, according to the division. Rocky View Schools (RVS) says the design step is a necessary precursor to tendering and building.
Capacity gains aimed at rapid growth
RVS estimates the Airdrie Lanark school will create 950 seats for students. The planned Chestermere high school is expected to provide another 950 spaces. The division has flagged sustained enrolment increases across its communities and said the additional capacity is intended to relieve pressure on existing schools.
| Project | Location | Grades | Projected spaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lanark School | Airdrie (Lanark) | K–9 | 950 |
| Chelsea High School | Chestermere (Chelsea) | 10–12 | 950 |
Board chair Fiona Gilbert said the announcement builds on a multi-year push to match facilities to community growth. She noted the new design funding sits alongside other projects already underway in the division.
“This announcement is another positive step for students and families in Airdrie and Chestermere,”
she said in a statement, adding that the Lanark project joins two K–9 schools already under construction in Airdrie and another K–9 in Chestermere that has secured construction funding.
Years of advocacy yield approvals
RVS says eight of its priority school projects have been approved by the province across the last three provincial budgets, following sustained advocacy by the board, municipalities and school communities. Gilbert said moving the Lanark and Chelsea projects into the design phase recognizes that coordinated work.
“Announcements like this demonstrate what can be accomplished when school communities, municipalities, the board and provincial government work toward a shared goal,”
she said, emphasizing that advancing to design moves both schools closer to construction.
What the design phase means for Airdrie
Design funding allows the division and its consultants to finalize a school’s layout, site planning and cost estimates before construction dollars are allocated. For families in Airdrie, the Lanark K–9 design work signals progress on new classroom space in a city where demand has routinely exceeded available capacity. While timelines were not provided, the division framed the announcement as an essential step in expanding options for students in coming years.
RVS linked the approvals to a broader pattern of provincial investment across the division. For Airdrie, that includes the two K–9 builds currently underway and the prospect of another K–9 in Lanark now moving through detailed planning. The division says that combination is intended to distribute enrolment, reduce crowding and allow schools to better serve nearby neighbourhoods.
Next steps
- Complete design development for the Lanark K–9 and Chelsea high school, including site and building plans.
- Prepare refined cost and scheduling information to support future construction funding decisions.
- Continue coordination between RVS, municipalities and the province as projects advance.
RVS said the latest approvals reflect “years of planning and advocacy” and thanked local partners for support. The division added that bringing the Lanark and Chelsea schools to design marks “meaningful progress” for families in Airdrie and Chestermere.
