St. Basil’s reaches 100 years

It’s a school steeped in tradition. Saint Basil’s has been educating young minds for an entire century and this year, the catholic school is celebrating its 100th anniversary. From its old brick signature architecture, to haggard scripture written above the entrance. It’s a building that has earned its place in Lethbridge lore.

Holy Spirits division board chair Terry O’Donnell is often in awe of the beautiful building. “Have you seen anything around Lethbridge that looks like that? That stand out like that. I mean it’s an icon for the city of Lethbridge.”

Holy Spirit’s Catholic Schools Deputy Superintendent Brian Macauley agrees with O’Donnell agrees. “We’re very proud of this building and the work that it’s done in terms of housing us to serve students and the community of Lethbridge.”

But in 2001 the St. Basil’s Catholic Education Centre’s existence was put in jeopardy. The Holy Spirit’s board of trustees passed a motion to have the building closed, but after public outcry they later rescinded the motion and it still stands today totally intact. O’Donnell visits the building frequently and believes it has many good years ahead.

“I think it’ll be here a long time after I’m gone. I think we can get another 100 years out of it.”