The future site of the new École Whitehorse Elementary School has been chosen, according to a report published by the Yukon government online in late September and dated October 2024.
A press conference is scheduled for Oct. 1 to officially announce the location that has been selected for the new École Whitehorse Elementary School, according to a media advisory issued by the Yukon government on Sept. 27.
Meanwhile, a Sept. 27 statement attributed to Education Minister Jeanie McLean notes the Yukon government is “exploring options” to build a new downtown school.
In June 2022, the Yukon government announced the downtown school would be replaced by a new school and that the proposed site for the new school was the Takhini school lot. The five-page report about choosing the future site of the new École Whitehorse Elementary School proposes the new school will be located in the northwest corner of the Takhini reserve, on the current site of existing softball fields by Takhini Elementary School.
Out of the three proposed options, the option selected has the most impact on softball fields, as noted in the report.
The three options were framed as “on the field,” “forest,” and “combined.”
The pitched plan involves Takhini Elementary School remaining in place with its current structure.
One of the softball fields will be retained, per the report, while a new multi-sport field is being planned for the middle of the site.
The plan pitches situating the bus loop and parking lot in the northwest corner of the site, with access off University Drive.
Factors noted in the report that contributed to the decision include: separation of school boundaries, minimal impact on Takhini Elementary School, “improved sports facilities,” preservation of developed areas, traffic considerations and cost efficiency, given this is the least expensive option.
The report indicates this option was preferred by the Takhini Neighbourhood Association.
“The Government of Yukon extends its sincere gratitude to the many stakeholders who provided valuable input during meetings and conversations ensuring key feedback was taken into account,” reads the report.
“The collaboration and insights from parents, community groups, educational professionals, and other key partners is appreciated.”
In August 2022, the Education department created a project advisory committee with members from the Takhini Neighbourhood Association, École Whitehorse Elementary School council and staff members, and a City of Whitehorse representative. The committee has met several times, as noted in the report.
In March, the Education and Highways and Public Works departments gathered input on three site options for the new school.
“Participants felt a key benefit of this option was the larger multi-sport field that would improve existing infrastructure for both school and community use. They liked that this option connected to the trails and addressed the dead trees on the property. They felt this option provided the best solution for parking and access to the school. They also felt this option was the best for school separation,” reads the report.
“Participants noted that this option had the most impact on the softball fields, and wanted to see mitigations, subject to feasibility.”
The next steps outlined in the report include discussions with Softball Yukon about the loss of two softball fields.
Other work ahead involves doing a geotechnical study and environmental site assessment, developing the school’s functional/spatial program, providing traffic engineering services, determining green energy requirements, completing the business case, more stakeholder engagement and revising the project schedule.
Consultants will do a traffic study, which will look at pedestrian safety and traffic going in and out of the site, per the report.
In the report, the Yukon government pledges to keep working with the First Nation School Board, the project advisory committee and the École Whitehorse Elementary School on next steps and impacts to the existing school and neighbourhood.
A final report on site analysis and test fit, dated Sept. 20, was also recently published online. The purpose of the report is to assess the feasibility of redeveloping the Takhini school lot to fit both schools.
Per the final report, the project’s estimated construction budget is $45 to $55 million, not including consulting costs.
École Whitehorse Elementary School is among a few schools currently located in downtown Whitehorse, including Wood Street Centre, the Individual Learning Centre and Aurora Virtual School, as noted by McLean's statement on Sept. 27.
“In the coming months, we will be engaging with partners, stakeholders and the community to understand future needs, and working to identify potential school locations,” McLean said about looking into options for a new downtown school.
“As we continue to modernize school infrastructure across the territory, we must ensure that we meet the needs of the downtown Whitehorse community for years to come. Downtown residents have told us that they value having a school in their neighbourhood, reflecting the sentiments expressed during last spring’s public engagement on capital planning for schools, and we know that planned housing developments will result in more families calling downtown home.”
Contact Dana Hatherly at dana.hatherly@yukon-news.com
