Site Blessings Mark Start of Three New Schools
June 24, 2025
Edmonton Catholic Schools held three site blessings in June 2025 to recognize three new Catholic schools that will soon take shape across our city. With construction expected to begin in early 2026, these projects reflect our commitment to providing an excellent Catholic education and supporting the growing needs of our communities.
Crystallina Nera East
Located at 71 Street and 178 Avenue, the new Crystallina Nera East Catholic K-9 school is expected to open its doors to students in the Fall of 2028. Once open, it will welcome about 950 students. Chief Superintendent Lynnette Anderson said it will be a school full of innovative and engaging learning spaces that will foster bright futures.
"The school that will be built on this site will be a vibrant place of learning that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another,” said Anderson.
On June 17, 2025, several special guests and dignitaries were in attendance for the site blessing. Bishop David Motiuk led the liturgy, while the Archdiocesan Administrator of the Archdiocese of Edmonton, Father Paul Kavanagh, blessed the site. Bishop David and Father Paul then joined the Board of Trustees and Chief Superintendent for a ceremonial sod-turning.
Cavanagh/Heritage Valley
On June 24, ECSD held a pair of site blessings in southwest Edmonton. The first took place in Cavanagh/Heritage Valley, one of the fastest-growing areas in our city and a top priority for our Division. Nearly 1,000 students will call this new Catholic K-9 school home when it opens its doors in the Fall of 2028.
Vice Chair Lisa Turchansky said this event reflects the Board of Trustees’ commitment to providing students with a Christ-centred education rooted in love, community, and hope.
“A school is so much more than a building,” shared Turchansky. “It is a place where students will be supported, grow in their faith, and discover their unique gifts and talents.”
Hays Ridge
The second site blessing, held on June 24, was then held a few kilometres away in Hays Ridge, where a new Catholic K-9 school will be built. Serving the communities of Chappelle, Paisley, and Graydon Hill, this school will welcome 950 students in the Fall of 2028.
In both site blessings, Bishop Motiuk led the liturgy, and Father Paul Kavanagh blessed the site. Bishop David and Father Paul then joined the Board of Trustees and Chief Superintendent Anderson for a ceremonial sod-turning.
Building for the Future of Catholic Education
As Edmonton’s population grows, so does the need for new Catholic schools to serve families in their own communities.
“As Trustees, we are proud to be strong advocates for Catholic education, working to ensure that our students have the spaces they need to learn, grow, and flourish in their faith. These schools are a direct result of those efforts, and of the belief that every child deserves a place where they feel they belong,” said Board Chair Sandra Palazzo.
In just three years, Edmonton Catholic Schools has welcomed nearly 7,000 additional students, a 15.5% increase in enrolment. In March 2025, the Government of Alberta announced planning funding for two new Catholic high schools and a Catholic K-9 solution school. The Division is grateful for the province’s commitment to building new schools.
“It is truly a gift that the Government of Alberta supports our Catholic community by providing us with the infrastructure that we need to carry out our great mission,” said Anderson.
The projects are part of a provincial school bundle that will be delivered through a Public-Private Partnership (P3).
More Information: