The idea of a new school in Athabasca is just that ó an idea.
Aspen View Public Schools superintendent Brian LeMessurier wants to remind the public that nothing has been confirmed regarding the new school.
ìI have been getting a few phone calls lately and I had a lengthy discussion with a county councillor over publicity weíre getting around the possibility of a new school,î LeMessurier said.
The superintendent stated his approach has been the same from the beginning when looking at the possibility of a new school.
ìWe would not be doing our due diligence if we do not look at all options,î he said.
Infringing upon one of the soccer fields at the Athabasca Regional Multiplex was one such option presented, but itís not a certainty even if the school becomes a reality.
ìIt has never been hidden that all options are on the table.î
He stated the possibility of a new school wouldnít become reality overnight.
ìIf that is down the road, six or seven years from now, if we are fortunate enough to be approved, if it was a possibility that the design chosen would infringe upon part of the field, we would be proactive and replace that field before we even take it out of circulation.î
LeMessurier believes there is negativity surrounding the project, even though it is still in its formative stages.
ìI canít believe that at this early stage, it is generating that much negative sentiment out there,î he said. ìAs a community that could benefit so much from the building of a brand-new secondary school built to 21st century standards and serve children, youth and adults in an entire region, why would we focus on one negative possibility that would in fact be covered very easily? If the footprint says it is going to come out and cover part of the field, we will replace it before it is taken out of service.î
Aspen View is focusing on the positive partnerships being formed around the new school.
ìIf we provide all the information, instead of focusing on one negative scenario, we will deflate things out there and will get a better building of synergy around this project, rather than concern.î
Trustee Wes Kowalchuk said that everyone is just throwing out ideas.
ìAt best it is in the conceptual stage,î Kowalchuk said. ìYou donít really know what it is going to look like. We donít know where it is going to end up. You have so many partners, and they all have opinions, right, wrong, indifferent.
ìWe have to flush all that out to make sure we are going in the right direction,î he said. ìEventually they will get flushed out.î
Kowalchuk wants to wait and see what comes to be without too much speculating.
ìLetís wait and build on it together,î he said. ìWhy tear it apart before it is built?î
