BVHS School Building Closed Sept. 2 - 5
Aug. 29, 2025
Dear Bow Valley High School families,
I am writing to share an important update about changes to the start of school at BVHS. Due to an unexpected delay to the expansion and modernization of the school we will not be able to open the building to students next week. To ensure learning continues, we will temporarily move to online learning for Sept. 3 – 5. Staggered entry for Grade 9 students on Sept. 2 is cancelled. The school building will not be open for students or families during this time. BVHS staff do not have any further information about the reopening of the school, but you will be receiving communication from the school on accessing courses online.
Teachers will reach out directly to families on Sept. 2 and provide more information and links to virtual classrooms so students can connect with their classmates and courses and begin instruction on Wednesday, Sept. 3. If you need access to a device for at-home learning, please let the school know so they can support you with this. While RVS has limited devices available for families to borrow, BVHS will provide information for families who do not have a device at home.
Please be assured this delay is only temporary and the school will be ready to welcome students back into their classrooms as soon as possible. The project contractor is working quickly to complete the final steps needed to ensure the building is safe and ready for our students. We know there is a lot of excitement around the opening of the new space at BVHS, and we appreciate your understanding and patience while we navigate this unplanned delay. We will provide an update as soon as we have new information. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ryan Reed
Superintendent of Schools
Expansion and Renovation Information
Bow Valley High School (BVHS) is undergoing a much-needed expansion and renovation project. When the project is completed in fall 2026, 485 spaces for students will be added to our core school bulding and common spaces like the gym and learning commons will expand and/or be updated.
We are committed to keeping students and staff safe and minimizing disruptions to learning while the construction work is underway. This page will serve as the information hub for regular updates, in addition to our school newsletter and other means of communication.
As a responsible and courteous neighbour, Rocky View Schools will communicate project updates to the community when they may impact the surrounding area. Any concerns can be shared with the project managers, Alberta Infrastructure, by calling 310-0000, asking for Alberta Infrastructure and leaving a message.
While noise, dust and other construction-related issues are expected, we are working with the contractors to minimize these as much as possible while prioritizing safety and comfort for learning.
We thank you for your understanding and patience throughout this multi-year project. We are excited to enhance and expand our wonderful school and look forward to seeing the new space come to life!
Important Gym Update
Demolition and construction of Bow Valley High School's current gym will take place throughout the 2025/26 school year, requiring an alternative solution to ensure quality gym programming and space for our indoor sports teams.
Starting Sept.2, 2025, physical education classes will be held at the SLS Centre. Students will be bused to and from the SLS Centre with no additional gym and/or transportation fees. Classes will be slightly shorter to accommodate busing. This is an excellent facility, and we are extremely grateful to SLS Centre for being such a great community partner.
While the BVHS gym is out of commission, students will still be able to use the fitness and weight rooms at the school. Our sports teams will have after-hours access to the gyms at our feeder schools for practices and games.
Construction of the renovation and expansion is being completed in stages. Timelines are estimates only.
- Phase One to set up safety fencing and signage began June 2024. During this phase, the majority of the work is being done external to the existing school building.
- Phase Two begins February/March 2025. During this phase, work will be begin on the Learning Commons and interior courtyard.
- Phase Three involves construction of new classroom space and modernization of existing classrooms. Completion of the courtyard will also take place during this phase which begins July/August 2025
- Phase Four begins December/January 2026. The existing gymnasium and music room will be demolished and construction to increase the size of these spaces will begin.
- The project is expected to be completed by July/August 2026
Construction Updates
I hope everyone has had a great summer break! We look forward to welcoming students back Sept. 2 when classes for the 2025/26 school year begin.
I want to provide an important update on the expansion and modernization of the school. Significant progress has been made over the summer, and I know we’re all excited to watch as the work continues this school year.
While much of the work last year took place outside the existing building, interior work is now underway that will impact when teachers and staff can return. All staff will work out of another area school on Aug. 26 and 27, returning to BVHS Aug. 28 to continue preparing for the upcoming school year.
The school’s shop will not be available for student use until the end of September. Shop classes will be moved to another classroom within the school. Additionally, some parts of the school will be closed during the first week, Sept. 2 – 5. Watch for regular updates posted to this dedicated web page.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our BVHS community as we continue to navigate this significant school construction project with its many moving parts. I’m confident when the renovated and expanded school is complete in fall 2026, it will provide the space and resources needed to support student success well into the future.
Shane Dempster
Principal, Bow Valley High School
The contractors will be working inside the existing, original school building for the next few weeks, completing mechanical and electrical work and upgrading the existing water lines, with all work taking place overnight. Students and staff should not be impacted.
During the February school break, the contractors working on the expansion and renovation of our school will be inside the existing building, constructing new drama room walls and installing heating piping over Stair 4. There will be intermittent power shutdowns.
From March 3 to April 14, the construction team will install new light fixtures in several areas. This work on the inside of the school should have minimum impact on students and staff as the contractors will be doing the installations during the exam break. They have been provided with information regarding what spaces are off-limits and when they can work in others without causing disruption. We thank everyone for their patience and willingness to adapt during this exciting time for the school.
General construction noise will continue to be noticeable around the courtyard as the majority of the work being completed continues to be outside the existing school. The contractors will be looking to access the heat pumps in the ceiling of the second-floor corridor, Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 but they have advised this shouldn’t impact school operations.
There are no planned shutdowns for the next two weeks; however, general construction noise will be noticeable around the courtyard and learning commons areas. Snow removal around the school is ongoing to maintain safe access. The wooden fence along the neighbouring side has been completed, and the north side of the new parking lot is now available for school use.
There are no planned shutdowns or impacts to school operations for the next two weeks. General construction noise will be noticeable around the courtyard and parking lot. There may be additional heavy equipment traffic in the bus loop. Please remember to be aware of all traffic when in this area getting on or off your bus.
There are no planned disruptions to school operations for the next two weeks. On Sept. 18, there will be increased heavy-duty truck traffic around the bus loop. Students are reminded to be mindful of all traffic when in this area. General construction noise in the vicinity of the courtyard and parking lot will be ongoing.
- All existing HVAC ductwork that will continue to be operational has been covered to ensure no construction dust will enter the core school.
- A water truck is frequently on the site to mitigate construction dust created by the exterior earthworks and construction debris.
- There are separate utilities in place to ensure gas and electricity remain continuous during the school’s operating hours.
- There is site signage outlining where the construction zones are.
- No construction deliveries (material, concrete trucks, etc.) will be made during the busing schedule for both pick-up and drop-off.
There are a few important things to know when the school year starts, Sept. 3:
- Watch for and follow all construction signage instructions to keep everyone safe. These can change during the school year as the project moves along. School staff will be talking to students about the importance of following construction signage.
- The construction area is fenced off at the south end of the school.
- Staff and student parking and the bus loop are not impacted by the construction.
- All entrances and exits can be used except for the central courtyard door, which is within the construction zone and closed off.
- Most instructional spaces remain available except for the Learning Commons and the Den upstairs.
Construction Photos
August 2025
May 2025
March 2025
Groundbreaking Ceremony Sept. 26, 2024
Architectural Renderings
