An effort is being made to raise funds to build at least one more gymnasium to coincide with the modernization of Foothills Composite High School.
“Our goal is to get four main gyms,” said Tanya Perrett, a member of a group of parents talking with Foothills School Division concerning more gyms. “We want it all attached. Then user groups can use the facility and we can run programs.”
She said the committee is trying to orchestrate the proposed facility similar to the one in Olds, which is shared by the college, the high school and the community of approximately 8,000 people.
At present, Foothills Composite High School has a full-sized gymnasium and a smaller gym beside it.
A new gym is not part of the proposed $22-million modernization of the high school, which was announced initially in 2014.
Perrett is hoping the committee can raise $2-million for the gym project.
However, it is working on a short shot-clock.
“We are trying to get as much money upfront as we can,” Perrett said.
She said the division justifiably has said it would not change the plans for the modernization for an additional gym — or gyms — unless the money is in place.
“I totally understand this, so we are going to try and get as much money as we can upfront to say ‘This is our show of good-faith, let’s get this done.’”
Perrett, who has five children who will go through the public high school system, met with members of the division earlier this month.
She said the committee also needs to work with the Town in regards to where the expansion would go if the footprint of the school changed as a result of adding one or more gyms.
Foothills Composite principal Vince Hunter said another full-sized gym would fit in nicely.
“We could use one,” Hunter said. “When we look at the way we are growing and the size of our gyms, they are used all day all the time.”
He said often during the day, there are two classes in the large gym, one in the small gym and another class looking at some other means, a field trip or being outside for example.
“When we look at hosting tournaments, the size of the gym is important,” Hunter said. “If you look at our recent volleyball tournament, it was tight.
“But bigger than that, our gyms are often used by the community. To get an additional gym benefits a large part of our population and the community as well.”
There is some precedence for Foothills School Division schools building new gymnasiums through community fundraising. When the new K-9 Red Deer Lake School was built in late 2000s, additional gym space, the library and more space was added using funds raised by the community.
Drew Chipman, division assistant superintendent-corporate services, said it’s exciting to be working with parents who wish to enhance schools.
Although the modernization is scheduled to begin in the spring, he said it is not the death sentence for a new gym — or gyms — if nothing concrete has been decided.
“I don’t see these things as mutually exclusive,” Chipman said. “I think we can go ahead with the modernization and if funds become available, we can add something after. I don’t think it’s either-or.”
Regardless of whether a gym is added, Hunter isn’t looking a gift horse in the mouth — he’s pleased with the proposed modernization despite not having the addition of the gym penciled in.
“The biggest change you are going to see is we are building a whole new wing that is going be the new fine arts — the stage, the drama production piece,” he said.
Foothills Comp is also home of the Alberta High School of Fine Arts, which provides higher-end arts courses ranging from painting and dance to theatre.
The fine arts area would be moved to the school’s west end, where the CTS courses are currently offered.
Foothills Comp would still be able to actually build a gift horse if need be.
The modernization will not compromise Foothills CTS programs, which offer welding, woodwork, mechanics and others.
Foothills School Division plans to host an open house, likely in early December, concerning the modernization of the Comp.
The school division continues its work for a proposed new K-9 school on the Wedderburn lands west of Holy Trinity Academy.
Chipman said the division recently had a constructive meeting with representatives from the Town of Okotoks, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools, and the M.D. of Foothills regarding future schools in the community.
