Southwest Addition

The Southwest Addition

Calgary Academy’s Southwest Addition will positively impact students’ learning experiences and give them further room to learn and grow.

This much-needed addition will have lasting impacts for years to come and represents the first significant construction at Calgary Academy in over 20 years. Construction begins in October 2023 and will be completed in time for the 2024–2025 school year.

Project Features

Modernized Instructional Spaces

Five new classrooms will allow for collaborative, cross-grade activities, and projects, ensuring students are making connections with each other and the curriculum.

Innovation Hub

This space will allow Calgary Academy students to gather, connect, socialize, study, and collaborate—eureka moments happen here.

State-of-the-Art Science Lab

With state-of-the-art equipment and technology, the lab will nurture curiosity, inspire new career paths, and help learners gain vital lab experience.

Current Construction Updates

 

  • Sept. 3: The Southwest Addition officially opened to staff and students.
  • June 10: The finishing touches of the Southwest Addition began, including furniture and seating arrivals.
  • May 8: The exterior sidewalk was poured.
  • May 5: The Epoxy flooring was completed.
  • April 18: Interior painting was completed.
  • April 11: Extensive work completed over spring break, including interior drywall, HVAC, and boiler work.
  • March 8: Detailed interior work continues, including HVAC and window framing.
  • Feb. 15: Concrete foundation poured–over 86 cubic metres of concrete!
  • Feb. 5: Preparation of the foundation began.
  • Jan 26: Structural steel canopy was complete, installation of the roof underway.
  • Jan 12: Structural steel canopy work continues.
  • Jan. 3: Structural steel canopy work begun.
  • Nov. 21: Concrete footings were poured, and temporary heating equipment has been set up to stave off the cold.
  • Nov. 17: Layout of gridlines complete.
  • Nov. 2: Excavation and site stripping begins.
  • Oct. 23: Construction site fencing and signage in place—project mobilization initiated.
  • Oct. 18: Groundbreaking ceremony with students, staff, and board members.

Major Milestones

  • Open for Learning

    The Southwest Addition opened on Sept. 3, 2024, adding 7,500 square feet of new learning spaces, which were completed on time and on budget.

  • Finishing Touches

    The finishing touches, furniture, storage and seating began on June 10.

  • Exterior Sidewalk Pouring Completed

    The exterior sidewalk was poured on May 8.

  • Epoxy Floor Installation

    The epoxy floor was completed on May 5.

  • Staff Tour

    On April 19, Calgary Academy staff were invited to tour the construction space.

  • Painting complete

    On April 18, interior painting was completed.

  • Masonry Milestone

    On April 11, exterior masonry and brick-laying were completed.

  • Drywall Complete

    On April 4, interior drywall taping and mudding were completed.

  • New Windows Added

    Large south and west-facing windows were installed in the new classroom spaces.

  • Showing the Space to Our Students

    On Mar. 12, our first group of students toured the new space, hosted by Principal Carlson.

  • Touring the Southwest Addition

    On Feb. 29, Board Members and leadership team members toured the space.

  • Concrete Foundation Poured

    On Feb. 15, over 86 cubic metres of concrete foundation was poured.

  • Prepping the Foundation

    In early February, preparation of the foundation began, including the placement of rebar.

  • Roof Installed

    In late January, the steel structure was completed and the roof was installed.

  • Steel Structure

    Steel structural work began in January.

  • Concrete Footings

    On Nov. 21, the foundations of the Southwest Addition began with concrete footing pouring.

  • Excavation Begins

    On Nov. 2, excavation began for construction, including site stripping.

  • Breaking Ground

    On Wednesday, Oct. 18, we officially broke ground on the future site of the southwest addition, marking the first major construction at the school in decades.

Construction Video Updates

Southwest Addition | April–May 2024

May 29, 2024

Southwest Addition | March–April 2024 Timelapse

May 6, 2024

Southwest Addition | February–March 2024

March 19, 2024

Southwest Addition | January–February 2024 Construction Timelapse

March 1, 2024

Southwest Addition | Winter 2024 Construction Timelapse

February 1, 2024

Southwest Addition | Fall 2023 Construction Timelapse

December 6, 2023

Construction FAQs

Who is doing this work?

The Architect for this project is Riddell Kurczaba. Our construction company is Chandos Construction.

What safety measures will be in place?

The construction area will be fenced to ensure the area is not accessible to students.

Will noise impact learning?

We are making a conscious effort to avoid distracting noise as best as possible. Extreme construction noise is limited to before or after school hours. However, there will be general construction during the school day—predominantly affecting classrooms at the end of the Grades 9–10 and 11–12 hallways.

When will the project be complete?

Construction begins in October 2023, and we anticipate completion by June 2024. The Southwest Addition will be open for learning in Fall 2024.

Help Us Build It

Support the Expanding Possibilities Campaign today!

This addition is the first significant construction at Calgary Academy in over 20 years. This campaign is not about the bricks and mortar but rather the teaching and learning inside and beyond our walls. Exceptional learning requires space, and additional space requires funding.

Through sustainable, modernized construction, we, as a community, are investing not just for the next five years but for the next 50 years of impact.

To connect with us on how you can be a part of the possibilities—contact Director of Philanthropy Debra Klippenstein by email at dklippenstein@calgaryacademy.com.

Amazing change is possible with your support.

Questions or Feedback?

Reach out to our construction email!