New K-12 Catholic School in Waskatenau Reaches Steel Phase

A small Alberta community is one major step closer to having a brand new K-12 school after construction crews finished raising the steel frame for Holy Family Catholic School in Waskatenau. Students and staff signed the final beam before it was lifted into place, turning a construction milestone into a community celebration.

The steel raising marks the point where the building's skeleton is complete and interior work can begin. For families in Waskatenau and surrounding communities, it represents years of planning finally taking visible shape.

"This milestone reflects years of planning, collaboration, and advocacy," said Anna Brockhoff, chair of the Lakeland Catholic School Division board of trustees. The project moved forward through teamwork between the province, the school board, and local partners.

The new school will serve students from kindergarten through Grade 12, all under one roof. Flexible classrooms will adapt as learning needs change, while dedicated spaces for career and technology studies will prepare students for future work.

Science and music rooms will give students hands-on learning opportunities. A full-sized gymnasium will host everything from physical education to community events, and a shared library will welcome both students and local residents.

The Ripple Effect

For Principal Farrah Ollikka, watching the structure rise means her students will soon have facilities that match the quality of education they're already receiving. "This building will soon allow us to offer students a learning environment that truly matches the care, attention, and expectations we hold for them," she said.

The investment reaches beyond classroom walls. Having a complete K-12 school locally means families won't need to arrange transportation to distant schools or split siblings between buildings. Young students and teenagers will share the same campus, strengthening community bonds across age groups.

The shared community library signals something bigger: a school designed to serve as a neighborhood hub, not just an isolated building. When local residents can access library resources alongside students, the boundary between school and community blurs in the best possible way.

Construction continues on schedule, with crews now moving into the next phase of interior work. The beam signatures will remain hidden in the structure, a permanent reminder that this building stands on more than steel and concrete.