Meet the New H.A. Kostash School

Meet the New H.A. Kostash School

Aspen View Public Schools unveils design plans for new H.A. Kostash School

Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser

Construction of the long awaited and much anticipated new school in Smoky Lake is slated to begin in a few short months.

Ross Hunter, Communications Officer for Aspen View Public Schools, said the tender for construction of the new school has been posted and is expected to be awarded in July. The budget for the new HAK School is pegged at $15 million and construction is currently scheduled to start in mid-2021.

“We anticipate construction will start shortly after the contract is awarded. Construction is anticipated for completion in early 2023. Demolition of the old school will take place after the new school becomes operational and no date has been established yet,” stated Hunter.

(Aspen View Public Schools/Submitted Image)

The H.A. Kostash, (HAK) Replacement Project has been many years in the making. “Modernization of HAK has been the top priority on Aspen View’s capital budget since 2015-16. It was updated to a replacement project in July 2018,” added Hunter.

The new H.A. Kostash School will be 4,556 m2 in size, located on 54th Avenue in Smoky Lake, north of the present school, offering Pre-Kindergarten (Great Beginnings) through Grade 12.

“The project design team has worked diligently over the past several months to design a new school in which all students, staff and the community feel welcome, included, engaged and safe,” Aspen View Public Schools South Central Trustee Tom Mykytiuk said. “We have strived to develop a multi-generational school that reflects and expresses the Smoky Lake community, while embracing the principles of 21st century learning.”

The Town and County of Smoky Lake have committed $600,000 to integrate a daycare space into the school. They have committed $170,000 to increase the size of the gymnasium within the new school, beyond the size funded by Alberta Infrastructure. Aspen View Public Schools also committed $100,000 from its capital reserves to fund a larger portion of the gymnasium. “We greatly value the commitment of both the Town of

The northwest facing view of the new school.

(Aspen View Public Schools/Submitted Image)

Smoky Lake and Smoky Lake County towards this project,” Trustee Mykytiuk said. “Their support demonstrates how integral schools are to the communities they serve, and likewise, it’s the community’s support that has not only made this project possible, but is now helping to enhance educational opportunities for students.”

“The new HAK School project was years in the making; a real example of a collaborative, cooperative effort by our Aspen View School board, staff, Superintendent Neil O’Shea, our trustees Tom Mykytiuk and Donna Cherniwchan, staff, students, parents, community, Town, County, and past and present provincial governments,” said Town of Smoky Lake Mayor Hank Holowaychuk.

“This investment into rural education will continue to pay dividends well into the future for our community, region, province and country. A sincere thank you to everyone involved in bringing a new school to Smoky Lake. Together we can make dreams a reality. Education is our future!”

“Smoky Lake County Council was very pleased to see Aspen View Public Schools present the layout and progress of the new HAK School,” Smoky Lake County Reeve Craig Lukinek commented. “The design is refreshingly creative, unique in styling, and its stature is going to be a noticeable attraction from Highway 28 for years to come. We also felt that the interior design is very well thought out and impressive.”

A view of the library of the new school

(Aspen View Public Schools/Submitted Image)