By Scott Roblin

VIDEO: CAPE School celebrates long awaited move to new location

Jan 7, 2019 | 4:20 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – For students and staff at CAPE School, cramped classrooms and limited storage had been a way of life for years.

That all changed on Monday, as there was an air of relief and excitement with the first day of classes at their new location on the South West Hill.

CAPE School officially opened the doors of the former north wing of Medicine Hat High School, which was renovated to the tune of $4 million during the high school’s recent modernization.

It’s a space that superintendent Teresa Di Ninno said she’s been dreaming of since talks of a new location began around five years ago.

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“It’s a long process and so we’re finally glad to be here, to have our name on the door,” said Di Ninno.

Over 200 students are currently enrolled in the public charter school, which runs classes for students from kindergarten to Grade 9.

The new space features increased natural light and storage space such as lockers for students, while also incorporating a courtyard and education labs.

Grade 7 student Daniel Bailey said he was a little overwhelmed moving to the new school, but is liking what the space has to offer.

“It’s a lot bigger, it’s a lot more open almost,” said Bailey. “It feels a lot different which is good, change is also good.”

His classmate Kylee Schuler added having her friends make the journey over to the new CAPE School helped ease the first day jitters.

“Whenever something changes it’s big,” said Schuler. “But, this one is different because you’re still going to the same school, just a different place.”

The Medicine Hat High School location houses 17 classrooms, which could allow CAPE School to grow to a maximum of around 335 students in the future.

However, the centrepiece of the whole project is a newly constructed gymnasium in the basement which Di Ninno said basically doubles their physical activity space.

“Even though we loved going into the community, we can now do all of our gym classes daily in house,” she said.

“We can actually do full things and it’s not just like literally jogging across, you have to go pretty far which is pretty cool,” added Bailey.

The former CAPE building on Balmoral Street meanwhile will be transferred back to its owner, the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, later this spring according to chair Dick Mastel.

“CAPE is still going to be in control of that building until all the reclamation work has been done and we anticipate that will take probably until May,” said Mastel.

The Catholic Board of Education will need to abide by the School Act if they determine they have no use for the facility, which was also the former St. Louis School.

Mastel said they’re mandated to consider other school divisions first for the property, before going to government agencies, and then the public for sale of the building.

“Other outside agencies will hear that the property is empty and if they have any potential use for it, they will be contacting us,” he said.

Back at the new location, Di Ninno said she’s hopeful the move will signal a new chapter in CAPE School’s history for both staff and students.

“Our program is amazing and we hope that between the program, the location and the new building, we can offer more students in Medicine Hat the option of enrolling at CAPE School,” she said.

The school will be holding a grand opening ceremony celebrating for their new location in the coming months.