Skip to content

Public gets glance at Comp modernization

There’s more to the picture than meets the eye. Okotoks residents got their first glance of drawings of the proposed $22- million modernization of Foothills Composite High School during an open house on Jan. 27 at the Foothills Composite High School.
Smiling Okotoks Councillor Ray Watrin, a former teacher at Foothills Composite High School, studies drawings of a proposed $22-million modernization of the school during an
Smiling Okotoks Councillor Ray Watrin, a former teacher at Foothills Composite High School, studies drawings of a proposed $22-million modernization of the school during an open house Jan. 27.

There’s more to the picture than meets the eye.

Okotoks residents got their first glance of drawings of the proposed $22- million modernization of Foothills Composite High School during an open house on Jan. 27 at the Foothills Composite High School.

Although the drawings included a new performing art centre, a new library and moving of the cosmetology department, much of the funds will be directed to less spectacular improvements.

“Close to half of this (the funds) are going to mechanical – lots of stuff you won’t see,” said Foothills Comp principal Vince Hunter. “Things like boilers are finally being replaced. Roofs leak everywhere. Those things are changing. Those have an impact on us – think if you are a teacher and your room floods every time it rains. We might not be using a room for two weeks.”

He said lighting, air ventilation and other concerns will be addressed.

“These are changes you won’t necessarily see, but they are highlights,” he said.

The more eye-grabbing changes will be dramatic – as in theatrical.

Performances by the Alberta High School of Fine Arts drama, dance and music department will be held at a new performing arts centre on the east side of the school. The school’s cosmetology room is swapping places with the auto mechanics department so it will be near the arts centre.

“With the music and drama department being side-by-side they will be able to work even better together,” said Comp vice principal Kathryn Strilchuk, who oversees the fine arts programs.

There will also be high-quality sound-proofing, sound systems and lighting for the fine arts centre.

As well, cosmetology is being moved from its present location to the east near the performing arts centre.

“Cosmetology is huge when we talk to the number of students who want to be involved in the program,” Hunter said. “It is getting a total facelift and will be redone.”

The present theatre looks out onto the main lobby of the school, which at times caused distractions in learning and rehearsals.

The library – the Mary Gillard Learning Commons – will be moved downstairs to the current stage area.

The proposal also includes changing the existing lobby staircase – which has two bends in it – with a Gone Like the Wind “social stair.” It will not only be safer as it has no bends, but will provide seating for approximately 200 students for presentations.

Corrine Babb, a former member of the Foothills Comp school council and has a son in Okotoks Junior High School who will soon attend the high school, was glad to see the career and technology department will remain.

“I’m happy with what I see,” Babb said. “I am supportive of the trades and when the announcement of a brand new school was made, I thought it would have been a shame to walk away from what we have here.”

The Foothills School Division had announced in early 2015 a proposal for a new high school in the Aldersyde area, with the Comp, slowly being turned into K-Grade 9 school. Those plans were nixed with the announcement of a K-Grade 9 school being built for the 2018-19 school year on 32 Street.

Babb said the extensive career and technologies courses at the Comp provide many valuable options for students.

A new entryway to the Comp is also planned, to be located on the southwest end. The entrance will be highly visible and has anyone entering the school going directly in front of the reception area.

There will be improvements to the present athletic facilities, such as locker rooms and lighting. As well, the weight room is being moved next to the gymnasium. However, at this point there are no plans to add a gym. A parents committee has been formed to look at the possibility of raising funds for the addition of one or more gymnasiums.

The division is developing strategies to ensure modernization disrupts classes as little as possible as work is being done for its completion, tentatively scheduled for January of 2018.

The modernization was announced in February of 2014 by former premier Alison Redford during a ceremony at the high school. It was then put on hold with the announcement of a potential school near Aldersyde.

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks