A recent site and safety review of two Rocky View schools by a transportation engineer recommended nearly $900,000 in new parking site construction and improvements for Elbow Valley Elementary School in Springbank and Chestermere High School.
The report, conducted by Eagle Engineering Corp., was presented at Rocky View Schoolsí April 19 board meeting; and cited numerous safety concerns at Elbow Valley School, including ìthe risk of potential conflict between pedestrians and vehicles.î
The projected $643,000 Elbow Valley School site improvement would better student pick-up safety by adding 48 new parking stalls and provide better access for students to the schoolís bus loading zone.
The materials provided by the excavation for the new east parking area would also provide fill material for the abandoned south lagoon, which is being reclaimed as part of the project.
ìWeíre talking student safety, which makes it urgent,î said RVS trustee Helen Clease.
ìWeíve been waiting a long time in Springbank to see any kind of improvements in this parking lot.î
The site and safety report also found Chestermere High Schoolís north parking lot had a number of potholes and recommended $175,000 in new construction and pavement to improve the current lotís condition.
The project would increase the site by 54 parking stalls, to a total of 151.
Trustee Don Thomas called the lotís condition a ìdogís breakfastî and said improvements to Chestermere Highís north parking lot are long overdue.
ìThat parking lot has been in that kind of shape ever since construction finished on that school,î said Thomas. ìI wouldnít take my car there; it has to be done.î
RVS unanimously voted to direct the superintendent to proceed with the Elbow Valley and Chestermere site improvements and authorize the use of up to $867,125 from the school divisionís cash-in-lieu fund.
