City pushes forward on possible location for new Harbour Landing school
The City of Regina has opted to stay focused on a possible site for a second school in Harbour Landing instead of furthering residential development in the area.
Capacity issues at Harbour Landing’s two existing schools, housed within the same building, and preventing a similar situation from unfolding in the future were major factors in the Regina Planning Commission’s decision.
“We can’t even accommodate the french immersion right now, and our projections are that it’s just going to keep getting more demand on the public system for sure in that area,” said Delaine Clyne with Regina Public Schools at Wednesday’s meeting.
In September 2020, the province announced a new joint-use school would be built in Harbour Landing to help address the capacity issues at Ecole Harbour Landing School and St. Kateri Tekakwitha School, which both share a single building.
“Projections indicate the continued growth for the St. Kateri for over a decade and we’ve now reached our capacity for portables on the structure,” said Regina Catholic School Division chair Vicki Bonnell.
The application also would have required exceptions be made to the official community plan (OCP), a core document the city uses to oversee growth and development.
The school was included in the developer’s plan, but the exceptions to the OCP on other aspects were also part of why administration recommended against the application.
“We do recommend that we make the changes to the OCP with regards to allowing for a school site in this area, and then that would be subject to land negotiations with the landowner within this area, which is the applicant,” said Diana Hawryluk, the executive director of city planning and community development with the city.
Area residents were also generally unsupportive of the plan, according to feedback gathered by administration.
“I would’ve expected that those within Harbour Landing, if this exception had merit, that there would be greater support amongst those living quite close to this proposed development,” said Shanon Zachidniak, a city councillor and member of the planning commission.
The area in question is along Campbell Street, west of the existing neighbourhood.
The timeline for the new school will depend on further discussions between the Ministry of Education, the city and the landowner.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.