Years of planning, negotiating and construction culminated in the grand opening of the new Penhold Crossing Secondary School on Oct. 9.
“High school has returned to Penhold!” exclaimed Mark Crawford, principal of the new school, in front of a crowd of nearly 400 teachers, students and dignitaries from Chinook's Edge School Division, the provincial government, the Town of Penhold and Red Deer County. “This was a journey that has taken many years from our initial meetings with the school board, the town, the province and construction partners. But we are here, and we are open.”
The audience clapped for, and expressed thanks to the partners who came together to build Penhold Crossing Secondary School, the town's first high school in more than half a century.
“Let's hear it for the SkyHawks,” urged Kurt Sacher, the division's superintendent of schools as he waited for the applause to die down before thanking local partners in the school construction. “We are so pumped for you guys that you have such a marvelous facility to learn in.”
School vice-principal Jim Burbridge spoke on the community that has been created in Penhold within the three schools -- Jessie Duncan, Penhold Crossing and Penhold School and the opportunity for them to work together.
Town of Penhold mayor Dennis Cooper was excited at the culmination of the successful integration of a new high school with the regional multiplex.
“We have an opportunity to create scholars, athletes and our own team, the SkyHawks,” said Cooper. “The Town of Penhold is pleased to work with the school board in helping build a facility that will serve the community well for the next 50 years.”
Penhold resident Elmo Johnson remembered the time when the students almost left Penhold for good.
“It had been decided that students from town were going to Innisfail, and myself and two other gentlemen in the town went to every councillor and talked to them,” said Johnson. “We had a public meeting and what was supposed to be the death of our schools became the beginning of Penhold School. Today is a great day for the community.”
Manmeet Bhullar, the province's infrastructure minister, presented an Alberta coat of arms to the school while Cooper handed a plaque to Crawford in commemoration of the grand opening.
Information on Penhold Crossing Secondary School and its programs can be found at www.penholdcrossing.ca.
