Construction is set to begin on a long-anticipated joint-use elementary school in Regina’s Harbour Landing neighbourhood.

The new facility will be built on an 11-acre plot of land near the corner of Gordon Road and Campbell Street in the city’s southwest.

The new facility will house 500 students from Regina Public Schools and 350 Regina Catholic students in addition to 90 new childcare spaces.

The provincial government originally announced the project in September of 2020, and the school was targeted to open in the fall of 2026. However, the project was delayed while the City of Regina searched for the necessary 11 acres of land required to build the facility.

The Government of Saskatchewan told CTV News that another reason for the delay was ongoing discussion with the Regina Public and Catholic School Boards, concerning the rapid growth of the Harbour Landing neighbourhood.

“I think that was one of the main reasons for the initial delays, taking some time to make sure that with all of our partners, we were able to get the site right as best as possible, and the size of the school here in terms of trying to be able to accommodate as many families as we can,” said Saskatchewan Minister of Education Everett Hindley.

The Harbour Landing neighbourhood has been host to school overcrowding concerns in recent years. In 2023, hundreds of students were forced to move from their Harbour Landing school to Ethel Milliken school due to the facility nearly exceeding legal capacity limits.

The Chair of Regina Public School Board Adam Hicks said the new facility will relieve some pressure off schools like Milliken, Perry, and Argyle that took in children from Harbour Landing.

He also said parents would benefit from the new school.

“A lot of kids near this location right now are hopping on a bus, moving across the Lewvan and going to another school,” he said. “ So, we know that parents will appreciate being able to walk their kids to this community school again.”

The Government of Saskatchewan put the total cost of the project at $65.9 million, which is a necessary investment in their eyes, but just one step in improving Saskatchewan’s education.

“This one investment won’t be enough, and I think it’s all the more reason for us to focus on the economic aspects of the province because it’s only through the growth of that economy that we’re able to make investments like this,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

The project is now slated to be completed by the fall of 2027.

The Government of Saskatchewan has also announced plans for two more joint-use schools in The Towns neighbourhood in Regina’s east end.

No construction dates have been announced in relation to the projects.