Saskatoon Public Schools to suggest Optimist Park as new location for City Centre School

Saskatoon Public Schools is hoping to explore a different location for the new consolidated City Centre School — Optimist Park.

The new west-side facility, which was approved by the provincial government in March, will combine three core neighbourhood elementary schools: Pleasant Hill, King George and Princess Alexandra.

Originally, the school board thought the Princess Alexandra site might work out. But at Tuesday’s planning, development and community services committee meeting, director of education Shane Skjerven will present the second option.

A letter he wrote to the committee indicates that during preliminary discussions with primary stakeholders, the idea for an alternate site was presented.

It would have the backing of the Saskatoon Tribal Council as well.

Princess Alexandra School is located near 22nd Street West, a major city thoroughfare, and near an active rail line. Commuting there each day would also mean at least a one-kilometre trek for students who currently attend King George and Pleasant Hill.

Optimist Park, located between 18th and 19th Streets West and Avenue J South and Avenue L South, could be a more centralized location, away from a busy area.

In the letter, Skjerven says if approval is given to explore the idea, a validation study of both locations would be undertaken over the next several months.

The entire cost of consolidating the schools and construction would be $29 million. The new building would have a capacity of 500 to 600 students from pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 and would include 74 daycare spaces.

It will likely be constructed sometime in the next three to five years.

Saskatoon Public Schools spokesperson Veronica Baker says the board will not comment on the letter until the presentation is made to the city committee.