The Central Alberta Christian High School here in Lacombe broke ground on a new Industrial arts building Tuesday, paving the way for wood working and a mechanics classes, something not seen on campus before.

Development Director at CACHS Cindy Ekkel says the just over 6,000 square foot building will allow students to stay on campus if they wish to take these classes, something their supporters knew was a big factor in the future success of the school and students.

“We have a really great community of support and donors, and a lot of parents and grandparents and future parents that know their kids will be going to CACHS just new that this was important. We’ve never had a program like this before, we do have kids right now that travel to the Burman school in Lacombe here and they take those classes there, but this is an easier to keep everybody at the school.”

Construction began a few weeks ahead of schedule due to the more favourable weather, and is expected to finish up in July, so they can start holding classes inside their new industrial building in the fall.

The new building is almost paid for, with almost $700,000 already raised through private donors and some fundraisers they've hosted in the past year.

They hope to add a welding shop in the future.