Friday, April 26, 2024 
Friday, April 26, 2024
September 26, 2019
As reported on Global News, students and staff from Highlands, Montrose and Mount Royal schools gathered Wednesday to witness the start of a significant transformation.
At more than a century old, Highlands School has undeniable historical value in our community. A major construction and expansion project officially began at the school Wednesday morning.
“It is a monumental project for us,” Edmonton Public School Board’s assistant superintendent Lorne Parker said.
Students cheered on as the demolition of the school’s 1954 addition began.
Parker says the project is complicated. Plans are to the demolish the east half of the school as the original historical half remains in use.
“That means that we will have to, halfway through the project, move the students into the new phase and then start on the 1912 building,” said Parker.
EPSB Board Chair Trisha Estabrooks says the new district K-9 school is vital for the community, but that neighbouring residents were vocal with their concerns.
“When you look back at pictures of our city from 1914 you can see this beautiful school and all around it there was nothing, it was farm land,” said Estabrooks.
It’s a truly unique structure. Regal exterior features enclose beautiful, ornately built marble halls.
School board officials confirm the aesthetics of the building are to remain largely unchanged. And as old meets new, the charm will continue in its own way.
