irene kelleher totí:ltawtxw elementary school

The new Irene Kelleher Totí:ltawtxw Elementary School has been a project that was planned by the School District almost 20 years ago. The School District purchased the site adjacent to a City park in the anticipation that the rapid growth in the Eagle Mountain area would drive the need for a new school to support the population. As the City grew and housing was established, the time finally came where the population now supported the new school.

The elementary school is designed for 400 elementary aged students, 60 kindergarten students and 72 childcare spaces. With the Ministry of Education helping to find additional NLC space, the facility was able to provide the childcare component.

As the site is located on a mountainside, the site constraints dictated that the school would have to be a partial two storey design. By use of natural materials on the exterior that fit within the existing aesthetics of the neighbourhood and inspiration from First Nations history of the area, the building theme took shape. Open spaces within the school will provide many opportunities for the children to collaborate and maximize the after hours use of the facility. As the school is located adjacent to a city park, shared use agreements are in the works to allow use for both school and public use.