Jasper residents have cast their votes, and the unofficial answer is yes, the Bowling Green is the right place for the construction of a new high school. 

Out of 906 voters, 545 or 60 per cent chose yes on June 13, to exchange Parcel R11 for a portion of the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division’s land that sits roughly where the high school is now. 

“We asked Jasper residents whether they support the land exchange, and they’ve told us they’re behind it,” said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland in a release. “It’s their community, it’s their choice, and council will act on their decision.”

With the vote behind them, the municipality and the school board will be moving onto the next step – formalizing the agreement to provide the land. 

“A draft agreement has already been developed,” said Ireland. “There continue to be some details to be resolved, but we’re very close to an agreement both parties are able to sign.”

Ireland said the conditions originally set out still apply to the agreement, and there must be no charge to the taxpayers due to the exchange. The municipality must also receive an area of land the same size as Parcel R11 that will be landscaped and irrigated to specifications set out by the municipality. 

Construction of the new school is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2012. The transfer of the new parcel to the municipality is expected to occur in 2015, after the old building is removed, the site is remediated and the landscaping and irrigation complete. 

An exact budget has not been announced by the province, however it has been confirmed that funding is available for the new school. 

See more on this story, including comments from GYPSD, in next week’s issue of the Fitzhugh.