Wolf Creek Public Schools (WCPS) unveiled the name of the newest high school, Iron Ridge Secondary Campus in Blackfalds on May 27 during a groundbreaking ceremony.
WCPS trustees were joined by provincial, municipal, school and project partners as the name was unveiled by current Grade 7 students at Iron Ridge Junior Campus.
Education Minister Adriana LaGrange said breaking ground on the community’s first high school is an exciting step forward.
“Schools are focal points for communities and a gathering point for friends and neighbours. When a school is built it impacts a community for generations. More than a place of learning, it binds communities together as it continues to grow,” said LaGrange.
“This is a milestone, something that has taken a number of years of growth and recognition to get through,” said Jamie Hoover, mayor of Blackfalds. “This is the beginning of significant change for our community, for our parents and for our youth.”
The name of the new school will continue the iron ridge re-branding that happened a few years ago.
“We received loud and clear that Iron Ridge Secondary Campus must continue and share the name Iron Ridge with its sister schools in Blackfalds,” said WCPS Superintendent Tim De Ruyck.
He said the history behind the ‘iron ridge’ stems from Blackfalds’ history as a railroad hub in Alberta.
“Iron was chosen to recognize the significant contribution of Blackfalds at that time and ‘ridge’ was chosen to recognize the landscape and that Blackfalds is on a ridge type formation,” said De Ruyck. “Continuing on with Iron Ridge pays tribute and honours the hard work, vision and community input of that past committee.”
“This new high school is a tremendous opportunity for Wolf Creek and for the community of Blackfalds,” said Luci Henry, WCPS board chair. “Families in Blackfalds can begin with Wolf Creek in elementary school and make their way to and through high school in the town they live in, completing their education in their own community.”
She told those in attendance that her thoughts are of the Grade 7 students who joined them at the ceremony and of future young students who will one day learn at Iron Ridge Secondary Campus.
“The Grade 7 students who are helping us celebrate today will be among the first to learn right here where we stand today. They will be among the first to walk across a graduation stage in Blackfalds and receive a well-earned and deserved High School diploma.”
Construction on the 950 capacity school is set to begin in June and is expected to open for September 2024.