In response to the 2020 flood that destroyed St. Mary’s Elementary School, the Fort Vermilion community undertook a transformative $23 million school modernization project. Completed in September 2024, the initiative merged Fort Vermilion Public School and St. Mary’s Catholic School into a single, state-of-the-art facility on higher ground. Spanning 3,632m2, the new building accommodates K–12 students while preserving the distinct identities of both schools.
The two-phase project overcame environmental, logistical and structural challenges, including asbestos removal and maintaining school operations during construction. The facility now features 11 new classrooms, a gym, a science lab, CTS spaces, and cultural learning areas, all built to LEED Silver standards. The project not only restored educational stability but also reinforced community resilience and cultural inclusivity in this remote northern Alberta region.
Read more about how this Fort Vermilion school project has transformed education in Northern Alberta in the Facility Focus article.
