New Mistassiniy School Infographic
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Efforts to get a new state-of-the-art facility built for Mistassiniy School students has been ongoing since the early 2000s. In 2014, Northland School Division was approved for a modernization.
In 2016, a value scoping workshop was undertaken by Alberta Education and Northland School Division. The session was attended by students, parents, community members (Bigstone Education Authority, Atoske Action Group, Schroder Oilfield, Northern Lakes College), Mistassiniy School staff, staff from other schools, the Official Trustee of Northland School Division and central office staff members from Northland School Division.
Participants brainstormed and prioritized the needs and important considerations for a new facility. As you review the schematic design, feedback from the workshop in 2016 is incorporated:
- Separation of junior high and high school students.
- More natural light.
- More open space.
- More options with respect to Career and Technology Studies programming.
- New gymnasium.
- Cultural elements.
During the 2019-2020 school year, Alberta Infrastructure approached Northland School Division with the replacement school alternative. The alternative is to build a new school with a 450-student capacity instead of a major modernization of Mistassiniy School. On May 22, 2020, the Board of Trustees approved that the Mistassiniy School modernization be revised into a replacement school project. When the Board decided to approve the replacement school project, they felt this would minimize disruptions to student learning and allow us to build a facility that meets the needs of students and the community. Although this is a new school build instead of a modernization, many of the aspects from the original scoping have been included in the structure/envelope of the building.
New Mistassiniy School Updates
February 1, 2024
The eagerly-awaited sound of students engaging in academic and extracurricular activities at the new Mistassiniy School is about to become a reality!
Northland School Division (NSD) has reached a pivotal stage in the construction of the new state-of-the-art learning facility. The transfer of items from the old Mistassiniy School has begun, paving the way for the school's opening. The first day for students and staff in the new Mistassiniy School is set for Thursday, February 1, 2024.
“This marks a significant chapter in NSD’s history,” said Robin Guild, Board Chair. “The school division began this journey back in the early 2000s, when we identified a new state-of-the-art facility for Wabasca-Desmarais students as a priority. Although construction is ongoing in and around the facility, we're excited that the new Mistassiniy School is ready for learning.”
The Government of Alberta approved construction of a new Mistassiniy School in its 2020 Budget with an investment of more than $31.4 million. While substantial completion has been achieved and the facility is ready for students to move in, minor finishing work will be ongoing. This includes completing touch-ups to millwork, lockers, doors and paint. Minimal disruption to students’ learning experience is expected.
“I am very pleased we are able to celebrate a new learning environment for Northland students,” said Cal Johnson, Acting Superintendent of Schools/CEO. “The new Mistassiniy School captures meaningful feedback we received from students, parents, guardians and community members, through a variety of methods; surveys, Zoom meetings, in person meetings, etc. With the feedback we received, the new school design celebrates 21st century learning, community spirit and traditional language and culture.”
The new Mistassiniy School features an array of facilities, including a culinary arts kitchen, stations for mechanics and carpentry, and other Career and Technology Studies courses. Its design features a circular front entrance and a gymnasium with bleachers, welcoming community spectators.
Following the opening of the new school, the old school is scheduled for demolition in summer 2024. This will be followed by improvements to the outdoor areas. During these changes, access and parking will be temporarily rerouted.
NSD is in the process of finalizing a date for the grand opening celebration of the new Mistassiniy School. An official announcement will be made as soon as the date is confirmed.
August 24, 2023
Construction of the new Mistassiniy School is progressing well and we expect substantial completion by mid-fall. The Northland School Division will then have access to outfit the facility with furniture, fixtures, and equipment for spaces including CTS shops, an integrated School Food Services, and CTS kitchen, that support new IT and learning technology. The division anticipates opening the new school in early 2024.
Demolition of the old school is expected to take place in summer 2024 followed by landscaping. Access and parking will be temporarily routed until this work is complete.
March 2023 (Triannual Report #2 2022-2023)
Construction for the new Mistassiniy School is ongoing. The new school will feature a culinary arts kitchen, stations for mechanics, carpentry, and welding. The front entrance has been specially designed in a circular pattern and the gymnasium will include bleachers for community spectators. The outside design of the school will feature outdoor classrooms along with recreation and green spaces www.nsd61.ca/download/412833.
The construction completion date for the new Mistassiniy School is expected to be by the end of 2023.
May 16, 2022
Northland School Division (NSD) is pleased to announce that construction is officially underway for the new Mistassiniy School. To mark this special milestone, NSD hosted a sod-turning ceremony on Saturday, May 14, 2022. The finalized design for the new school will include a Culinary Arts kitchen, stations for mechanics, carpentry and welding. The front entrance has been specially designed in a circular pattern and the gymnasium will include bleachers for community spectators. The outside design of the school will feature outdoor classrooms along with recreation and green spaces www.nsd61.ca/about-us/division-news/post/construction-officially-underway-for-the-new-mistassiniy-school.
April 24, 2021
The new Mistassiniy School Project is currently in the design development phase. A team from NSD is working with Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Education to finalize specific details such as colours and finishing. The team is very excited about the open entry and the spaces for the Career and Technology programs.
March 24, 2021 - Floor plan approved for the new Mistassiniy School
The floor plan (schematic design) for the new Mistassiniy School has been approved and the project is moving into the design development phase www.nsd61.ca/about-us/division-news/post/floor-plan-approved-for-the-new-mistassiniy-school.
January 23, 2021 - New Mistassiniy School design presented to the Board
The Board of Trustees reviewed updated draft designs for the new Mistassiniy School. The design outlines the following:
- The layout for classrooms to primarily teach core subjects (math, science, social studies,
language arts).
- The layout for learning spaces to teach physical education, art, and two Career and Technology
Studies (CTS) spaces. Possible spaces are mechanics & carpentry, foods, etc.
- The layout for the front entrance (circular design), office space for staff, and rooms for counselling and wrap-around services.
- The outside design of the school and layout for future outdoor classrooms, the front entrance, parking, school bus lane, trees, shrubs, recreation spaces, etc.
November 26, 2020 - Negotiations approved to include a dedicated kitchen space in the new Mistassiniy School
The Board of Trustees approved to start negotiations with the Alberta government to include a dedicated School Food Services kitchen space in the new Mistassiniy School by authorizing Administration to execute the Statement of Commitment.
The statement is not binding but indicates a good faith effort to design, agree and pay for the dedicated kitchen space. As part of the new Mistassiniy School project, the cost dedicated to a commercial kitchen is not part of the cost from the government. Based on the square footage of the kitchen.
November 24 & 25, 2020 - New Mistassiniy School Community Engagement
To ensure the new Mistassiniy School meets the needs of students and the community, Northland School Division hosted a virtual community engagement via Zoom on November 24th and 25th.
During the sessions, parents/guardians and community members were asked to share feedback on educational programming, cultural components, and other features Northland should consider for the new school.
May 22, 2020 - Mistassiniy School modernization revised into a replacement school project
The Board of Trustees approved that the Mistassiniy School modernization be revised into a
replacement school project. In October, the Board originally passed a motion to move forward with the Mistassiniy School modernization. The modernization was originally announced in 2018.
Recently, Alberta Infrastructure approached Northland with the replacement school alternative. The alternative is to build a new school with a 450-student capacity instead of a major modernization of Mistassiniy School.
