The new school opening in September 2017 in Royal Oaks has been named after a Grande Prairie born man. The Board of Trustees for the Grande Prairie Public School District have announced Roy Bickell Public School as the official name. Board Chair John Lehners says it is great to recognize a man who has made big contributions to the future of the region.
“As both a business man and a philanthropist as well as a pioneer in the field of dinosaurs. We are pretty excited about that.”
Bickell, who spent most of his 84 years living and working in and around the region, passed away just under a year ago in March 2015. He is known for his roles in creating a difference through history, education, business, community service and fossil collecting. Bickell founded and owned the largest privately owned fossil collection which he later donated entirely to the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum.
Roy Bickell Public School is the 18th school the Grande Prairie Public School District will open. There will be around 600 students attend from Kindergarten to Grade 8.
