With a new high school expected to begin construction in the spring near Aldersyde next to the Legacy Field House. The Foothills School Division Superintendent answers many questions that have surrounded the controversy between building in Okotoks or at it's current site first.

John Bailey discusses the amount of land it takes to run a high school, with eight acres currently dedicated to the school, he says the other land that would be needed is already in discussion with the field house and the MD to fill-out the needed space whether it's sports fields or parking lots.

"Anytime a facility like that is put up, I think it's in everyone's best interest to have it used as fully as possible," he says. "We could partner on expanding that, maybe we look after a portion of it, that saves us money on the construction not having to build an entire parking lot which then we can put more of that money into the building and resources for buildings."

Traffic safety is another concern being addressed by whether the school should be built next to a busy HWY 7 or 32nd Street in Okotoks. Bailey says student safety is the number one priority to the Aldersyde school and says the division and the M.D. are dealing with that situation.

"In discussions with the M.D. they have already started discussions with Alberta transportation about improvements that would be needed to make that road much safer for the volume of traffic that would be there," he says. "We're confident those discussions are going on, it's in their interest, obviously Alberta Transportation's and everybody's interest to make that as safe as possible."

Bailey adds that having a high school near the busy highway could be dangerous to motorist heading to or away from school, he says the site the town has would carry some of the same issues as Aldersyde.

 "Take a drive up on 32nd one morning at eight o'clock or try to be there at 3:30 and look at the traffic that's on there, it's pretty crowded up there too," he says. "While the posted speed limit isn't as high as it is right now on HWY 7, it's pretty scary up there at those times."

Bailey says while the high school would only sit on eight acres of land itself, the agreement with M.D. to obtain more land is there to make sure there's enough space for amenities and parking.

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com