The Regina Public School Board announced a proposed boundary change that would affect around 200 students at the Harbour Landing School.
The change will see affected students transferred to the Ethel Milliken School for the 2023-2024 school year.
Education Minister Dustin Duncan said what the school board is proposing isn’t ideal, but there aren’t many options.
“Our hope is that the school would progress a lot quicker than, obviously, it hasn’t, but until you have the land available, you can’t build a school,” he said. “We are very close to working out those final details with the City of Regina, design is ongoing already, and we are hoping to proceed to on-site preparation and utilities; hopefully later this year, and construction can begin after that.”
Duncan said the province made the commitment to fund a new elementary school two years ago, but it has run into some delays.
“Obviously, with the way that Harbour Landing developed a lot quicker than everybody thought, including the city when it was going to develop when it was first being developed,” he said. “We have an issue of where do you build the school?”
Duncan said that they are working towards a memorandum of understanding with the City, with design work also proceeding through SaskBuilds.
“We know that there is a need for a new school. That’s why we made the commitment a couple of years ago, and we should see work certainly behind the scenes; it is ongoing. We will see work towards a new school being built in Harbour Landing.”
Regina Public Schools said in a letter to families that the changes will bring challenges to families.
“The school division recognizes the challenges that boundary changes bring to families, students and school communities,” they said. “We extend our gratitude to the Harbour Landing School administration, School Community Council and the entire school community for their understanding, flexibility and patience during a time of growth and change in the southwest area of the City.”
Harbour Landing School was built for approximately 650 students with current enrolment over 1,000 students.
Harbour Landing School will hold an open house on March 9 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to hear feedback from the community regarding the boundary change before the school board makes its final decision.
