After a long wait, students and staff at Herons Crossing School are taking advantage of a recently completed addition.

"The addition was ready for students on January 8," said Peter Garner, Manager of Facility Planning with Rocky View Schools. "We still have the main gym that will be ready probably towards the end of the month once contractors finish the floor."

A breakout space is part of the school's addition. (Photo Courtesy: Rocky View Schools)The addition was originally scheduled to open September 2017. Garner explained that was pushed back due to contractor delays.

Garner said the addition increases the size of the school. The original building was 2300 square meters, and the addition is 4550 square meters. The original building had capacity for 150 students, plus extra capacity provided by portables. The addition increases the core capacity of the building to 650 students. With portables, the school can now accommodate 900 students.

The addition adds 16 classrooms, as well as a number of other spaces.

"With the new addition we now have a full-sized gym in the building, two Learning Commons - traditionally that would have been called the library. We have a science project area, a music room, and also CTS rooms so we now have a foods program that can be offered and a wood shop."

Warner, with a laugh, said the students and staff at Herons Crossing are excited that the addition is complete.

"I think they're very happy for the additional space. The school has been tight on space for a few years and they've been missing the possibilities of what you can do in a much bigger gym. The original building was built with a small gym because that's what we could afford at the time." 

Garner said a grand opening of the addition is planned for the future but has not yet been scheduled.

 

Questions, comments or story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com