In a ceremony held yesterday (September 12, 2023), Athabasca-Barrhead-Westlock MLA Glenn van Dijken, Aspen View Public Schools Board of Trustees Chair Candyce Nikipelo, and Ward 5 (South Central) Trustee Elohne Chizawsky officially opened the new H.A. Kostash School in Smoky Lake.

“It’s indeed an honour to celebrate with the Smoky Lake community as we officially open this new, beautiful school,” Chair Nikipelo said. “It definitely has been quite the journey to get to today’s ceremony, and now we start a new and even longer journey: a journey of learning and discovery for all the students and staff here today, and for all those who will follow them in this magnificent facility in the years to come.”

“We want to thank the Government of Alberta for recognizing the need for a new school in Smoky Lake, and for investing in rural Education,” Trustee Chizawsky added. “We thank MLA Glenn van Dijken for his steadfast support of this project, and thank officials from both Alberta Infrastructure and Alberta Education for all their work behind the scenes to keep moving this project forward.”

“Alberta students deserve the foundation for lifelong learning, and they deserve a world-class, high-quality, enriching education that prepares them for success beyond school,” MLA van Dijken said. “The investment that the government is doing, we are proud to make, because we know it is an investment in our students, it’s an investment in our communities, and in Alberta’s future.” 

Members of both the Town of Smoky Lake and Smoky Lake County councils took part in the grand opening celebration. Both municipalities partnered with Aspen View Public School from the start of the project, and their contributions ensured the new school would have a larger gymnasium and daycare space.

“In the planning stages of this facility, I know that the Town representatives, the County representatives, Aspen View Public Schools, community representatives, all came together recognizing that there was a need, not only for a school to educate children and students, but a need for the whole community to be part of it,” MLA van Dijken noted. “They built a partnership around building this very special facility. Thanks to your hard work, the community of Smoky Lake will treasure H.A. Kostash School for many years to come.”

“We are delighted to have this brand new school,” Town of Smoky Lake Mayor Amy Cherniwchan commented. “Our town is excited to have a new school with a beautiful library, innovative breakout rooms, and a modern co-op daycare.”

“We are so fortunate to have this facility in our community as it offers our students a comfortable, safe learning environment with a lot of natural lighting, open spaces, sitting areas, a daycare and this great gymnasium,” Smoky Lake County Reeve Lorne Halisky added. “As a community, we should all take pride in this.”

Former Aspen View Public Schools Superintendent Neil O’Shea, who emceed the grand opening ceremony, described the new school as a gift to the students. ”This school is here not only for you, but it’s here for your children, and your children’s children, and maybe even beyond that. Some of you one day will probably work in this building, your will send your children to this building.”

“I think that this school exemplifies what rural public education should look like,” new Aspen View Public Schools Superintendent Constantine Kastrinos said. “I remember standing in the learning commons and looking out at that golden canola field and just thinking, if this isn’t the perfect picture of rural education, I don’t know what is.

“As beautiful as this building is – and it is, it’s first-class – it really is just a building,” he added. “In the end, what’s going to give it character, what’s going to give it life and any sort of a future, is you as the students, the staff and, of course, the community. Together, you will give it a future, you will give it an identity.”

“The students sitting in front of me are why we do what we do,” H.A. Kostash School Principal Brenda Mykytiuk concluded. “Our new HAK will tell their story as they forge a new legacy in a new building. I am excited about moving forward with the students, staff, parents and community members who will transform this building into a school. New memories and stories await.”