Construction begins on new francophone school in Regina

Ground has been broken for a new francophone elementary school in Regina’s north end.

The school, for students in prekindergarten to Grade 6, is slated to open in January of 2025 in the Normanview neighbourhood.

“The Ministry of Education is dedicated to strengthening French language and culture in Saskatchewan by improving access to French language education,” Education Minister Dustin Duncan said in a media release. “The new francophone school also demonstrates Saskatchewan’s commitment to the official languages on a provincial and pan-Canadian level.”

According to the province, the new school is designed to accommodate up to 325 students. It will feature 51 child-care centre spaces — 38 relocated from Ecole du parc and 13 new spaces.

An artist’s rendering of the interior of the new francophone school being built in Regina. (Government of Saskatchewan/Submitted)

The province is providing about $23.5 million in funding for the school, which is part of a six-year capital agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Conseil scolaire fransaskois (CSF).

The plan calls for the construction of three new francophone schools in the province. The schools in Saskatoon and Prince Albert are still in the pre-design phases.

The federal government is putting up $3.9 million, which will help pay for some 800 square metres of shared and dedicated community cultural and event space at the facility.

“We have been waiting for this school for many years in Regina,” CSF chair Alpha Barry said in the release. “Needless to say, we are very pleased that the project is finally underway. It will benefit our families and our community in so many ways.”