Both Regina Public and Catholic School Boards have signed a memorandum of understanding, along with YMCA of Regina and the city, to explore the feasibility of a joint use facility in southeast Regina.
The study will be led by the school divisions while the city and YMCA will be represented on what is being called a steering committee that has yet to be established. All four sides are contributing funds for the study, the cost of which is still unknown at this time.
Regina Catholic Schools spokesperson Twylla West said nothing is official at this time.
“We know that we need a new high school in that area, we know that Regina Public needs a new high school in that area, and we’re just looking at ‘can we create a facility that also involves some other partners, including the city and YMCA,’” West said. “It doesn’t mean that it will happen; it means we’re looking at whether or not it could happen.”
Meanwhile, Regina Public Schools Director of Education Greg Enion said their school division is forecasting 1500 more high school students by the year 2025.
“With that growth, we know that a number of our high schools are reaching capacity, and we believe that a joint use facility in southeast Regina where there would be a high school located, would be very advantageous for us as we move forward.”
Enion said he’s hopeful this model will be successful in High School as it is for elementary schools.
“We think it’s a very economical way to deliver services by having joint schools, and as well as having some other partners in the building as well.”
The study will look at combining a High School in southeast Regina with a facility that the community could use for other activities. Currently, high school students in the southeast would attend school at either Balfour or Campbell for public schooling, and Miller or LeBoldus for Catholic.
Regina Public School Board of Education chair Katherine Gagne says in a news release this is an important first step as student enrollment continues to swell.
