Construction has begun on a new kindergarten to Grade 8 school in southwest Winnipeg's Prairie Pointe neighbourhood that will also include a child care centre, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt announced on June 9.
"Breaking ground on this new school means Prairie Pointe families will have access to quality learning spaces close to home," said Schmidt. "As this community continues to grow, it's important we are building the infrastructure needed to support students and families now and into the future."
The new dual-track French and English kindergarten to Grade 8 school will be located on Skyline Drive and will open with a capacity for 800 students and 134 child-care spaces for infants, preschool and school-aged children, supporting access to early learning for families in the area.
The project will help address capacity pressures and ensure students can learn in modern, well-designed spaces in their own neighbourhood, the minister noted.
"This is a day of great celebration for Pembina Trails School Division. The hope and possibility for students attending their neighbourhood school is coming to fruition. We are so proud of the advocacy, planning, collaboration and partnership that has made this dream a reality," said Cindy Nachtigall, board chair, Pembina Trails School Division. "We are filled with gratitude and excitement for what this will mean for our families in the division. School is where dreams take flight."
The school will include classroom spaces, a gymnasium, a multipurpose room and specialized learning areas to support hands-on programming. It will also include resource, guidance and student support spaces, human ecology, life skills and a hygiene room, library learning commons, a kitchenette, applied technology spaces and associated administrative, ancillary and building support areas.
"Today's ground turning ceremony is more than just the start of construction. It is the beginning of a shared vision coming to life and the start of new opportunities. École Iskonakwa School reflects our belief that every student deserves a space that inspires learning and innovation, fosters creativity and supports their well-being," said Shelley Amos, superintendent and CEO, Pembina Trails School Division. "This school will be a place where reconciliation thrives, where inclusion is celebrated and where every student feels that they belong. This school has been thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of today's learners and tomorrow's leaders. Many hands have helped bring this vision to life and we are deeply grateful for that support."
"These new spaces will help ease pressure on parents and ensure children have places to learn and grow that are close to home," said federal Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand, minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency. "These are generational investments in families, our economy and our children."
The school is expected to begin welcoming students in fall 2027, the minister noted.
The Prairie Pointe school is one of four new kindergarten to Grade 8 schools included in the Manitoba government's first bundled construction package, which applies a standardized design approach to improve efficiency and manage costs. It is also one of 11 new schools planned for construction across Manitoba through Budget 2025, the minister added.
