Students in Fort Saskatchewan will soon have access to a new training facility as Elk Island Public Schools moves forward with plans for the Heartland Skills Centre. The school division has officially signed a lease for the space at Fort Station, which is intended to expand career training opportunities for students in the region.
The funding for this project was confirmed in the school division’s budget allocations approved by the Board of Trustees on April 23, 2026. The new centre is a core part of the division’s Success After High School priority, which focuses on preparing students for life after graduation through practical experience. The facility will join existing initiatives like Campus EIPS and the myBlueprint career planning tool, which help students explore professional pathways and manage course selection from grades 9 to 12.
While the division prepares for this new addition, the board is also managing adjustments to the overall budget for the upcoming 2026-27 school year. As part of these financial plans, families can expect student transportation fees to rise by $5 to $10, depending on eligibility. The division noted this change is necessary to maintain current levels of service.
The budget decisions come as the school division manages a projected change in student numbers, with total enrollment expected to reach 17,561 for the 2026-27 year. Board Chair Colleen Holowaychuk and the rest of the board will hold a final vote to approve the full spring budget on May 28, 2026.
