Father Lacombe Catholic School celebrated the Grand Opening of the school on Friday, April 21st with a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local dignitaries, students, teachers, and families gathered to celebrate the new school. 

“Father Lacombe Catholic School will be more than just a place to learn it will impact the entire community for generations to come. It will be a gathering place for friends, neighbours, and community groups and that is a deep and wonderful thing,” said Education Minister, Adrianna LaGrange.  

The new school was built in replacement of the old Nelson School which was built in 1957. Father Lacombe Catholic School took over the building to offer Catholic education to Lacombe residents in 2005.  

Originally, STAR Catholic School Division intended to modernize the Nelson School but after inspections it was determined a rebuild was necessary. The students have been in the new building as of November of 2022 but spent a few years learning within the Nelson School while it was being demolished and while the new school was being rebuild.  

“Just when we thought it couldn’t get worse COVID happened... It was a crazy few years but we survived and I think it made us even strong,” said Maria Wagner, Father Lacombe School Principal.  

Dignitaries cut the ribbon alongside the both the school’s oldest and youngest students at the school.