CBE is Open to Accepting Expressions of Interest for New Downtown Space for W.H. Cushing Workplace School

Dec. 11, 2014


​In 1995 the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and Telus entered into a unique partnership for the use of corporate space for a downtown workplace school.

Telus has provided space for the W.H. Cushing Workplace School on the main floor of the Len Werry building. The school has approximately 100 students in kindergarten through Grade 3.

“Parents who work downtown find that the school’s location and partnership with on-site childcare allows them to be more closely involved with their child’s learning on a daily basis,” said Calvin Davies, director, Area IV.

However, the space where the school resides will soon be unavailable due to redevelopment of the north side of the 100 block of 7 Ave. S.W. as part of the Telus’ Sky building project. The current lease agreement will expire on July 31, 2016.

“We are working with parents to look for solutions for this accommodation challenge. As part of this, the CBE is open to accepting expressions of interest from any corporation in downtown Calgary that has appropriate space for a school and would see this as an opportunity,” said Davies.

The CBE is open to other partnerships which would support a similar mutually beneficial relationship in the downtown area. At the same time, it must work within its fiscal realities and the serious accommodation crunch that it faces. The current lease is $1 per year.

The following is a list of the standard requirements for a school with a capacity of 150 students. This information is intended for reference only and may not be representative of final space requirements. Layout and location f potential lease facilities will impact final requirements as it relates to facility design and building code conformance.

Description Sq. Metres
Standard school spaces
3 classrooms of 80m2

240

1 science room

95

Ancillary rooms (ie. music, drama)

220

Learning Commons (library)

60

Flex space (student gathering space)

40

Administration areas

200

Staff and student washrooms (separate)

18

Storage

27

Wiring network closet

30

Facility Operations storage

15

Circulation areas (ie. entryway, hallways)

195

Non-standard school space
Room for before/after school care provider

100

Total Area

1,240


Other Considerations:

  • Reasonable access to a gymnasium
  • Reasonable access to outdoor play area(s)
  • Reasonable access to public library (instead of learning commons)
  • Staff parking option (10 stalls)
  • Parent drop-off availability
  • Ease of access in/out of building with students
  • Secured/restricted access to school

“We continue to meet with parents to discuss options for the future accommodation of students. We are committed to providing excellent education to students and support to families as we move through this transition,” said Davies.

For more information about this opportunity, corporations can contact CBE Corporate Partnerships at 403-817-7242 or partnerships@cbe.ab.ca.

Teacher and students