Holy Spirit planning for future of junior high

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on April 11, 2025.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The Holy Spirit Catholic School Division announced Thursday that they are receiving funding to plan either a modernization of St. Francis Junior High School or the construction of a new junior high school all together.
Carmen Mombourquette, board chair, told media Thursday that the first step required to figured out which route to take, is a very detailed building inspection done by multiple construction experts to find out if the existing structure can withstand a modernization, or if a new building is required.
“The initial planning money is a grant of $50,000 which is really made to answer one question: Should it be a modernization of the existing building, or should it be a complete new build?” said Mombourquette.
The board is hoping to have that question answered within the next six to eight months, and the next step in the process is to have planning money for which of those two options is selected.
“I’ve been associated with Holy Spirit school division now for well over 30 years,” he pointed out. “I have intimate knowledge of this building, and to be able to come to know that these children are going to have a modern, fully equipped, functional, safe building to come to school in, just pleases me beyond belief.”
He said he is very happy to have the support of Lethbridge MLAs, including former Lethbridge West MLA Shannon Phillips during her time in office and now counting won Rob Miyashiro’s support.
“The support of our local MLA’s has really been appreciated,” said Mombourquette. “Nathan Neudorf without question, as minister but also as MLA for this area in the city.”
Neudorf received letters from multiple St. Francis Junior High School students, asking for help advocating for funding to modernize the school. Grade 9 student Lachlan Calder was one of them and he said it is great to be seen and heard.
“Some of the issues we’ve had over the years (include) leaking in the school’s, we don’t have AC (air conditioning), if you forget a water bottle there is no drinking fountains, just filling stations,” said Calder.
He said the current conditions sometimes interfere with student’s ability to do well in school, as the heat sometimes makes it hard to concentrate.
Jackie Kraemer, school principal, said everyone is excited about receiving this funding and what it means for the future.
“This has been along time coming. We’re going to be over 100 per cent capacity September of 2025, so this is very exciting.”
She explained that their maximum capacity is of 708 students. This year they have 620 enrolled and next school year starting September they will have 710, which puts them over capacity.
Kraemer added that within the last couple of years, the student population grew by 100.
Asked about possible modernization or a new build, Kraemer said it will be interesting to see which option is best, but they have already had some negative experiences with making additions to the current structure.
“When you just add pieces on to the existing structure from 1957, we’ve been dealing with multiple issues of roof leaks where the add-ons have been,” said Kraemer.
Some of those issues have required moving students around and have created learning disruptions. Kraemer said she is looking forward to having a building where students can thrive without worrying about structural problems.
And not only for those attending school there, but also to the many visitors they house annually for various events, including drama productions that bring students from schools across the city into the building.
“We have a lot of innovative programming because of our phenomenal staff here at St. Francis, so we’re excited with the potential of a new space to house all that,” said Kraemer.

3
-2