Saskatoon Public Schools considers Optimist Park as alternate location for City Centre School

A massive school project may be looking for a new location, according to a letter from the city's public school division.

Previously, Saskatoon Public Schools had planned to consolidate three core neighbourhood schools in a new building called City Centre School, to open in 2024 or 2025. The pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 school, which is to incorporate 500 to 600 students, was to be built on the current site of Princess Alexandra School.

However, according to a letter from the school division, school officials are now asking the City about the viability of Optimist Park, located between 18th and 19th St. W. and Avenue J and Avenue L S.

The letter to city council said the possible location change came about after talking about the issue with stakeholders.

The City Centre School project would consolidate Princess Alexandra, King George and Pleasant Hill Schools into one large building.

The Princess Alexandra location would mean travelling large distances for many students.

Pleasant Hill Community School is located 1.5 kilometres away, while King George School is located 1.2 kilometres away.

The new school could cost anywhere from $22.5 million to $25 million to build. The public school board estimates renovating the three existing schools would cost $68 million. 

If Optimist Park is feasible, Saskatoon Public Schools will write up a study on the two sites and present them to council in the next few months.

The current project includes a partnership with the Saskatoon Tribal Council that would revitalize the White Buffalo Youth Lodge.

Saskatoon Public Schools said it would not be commenting on the situation until it had presented at a city committee as well as presented to the Riversdale, King George and Pleasant Hill community associations.

A delegation from the school division will make a presentation to the Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services on Tuesday.