Ground Breaking for New Meaford School
Posted on 09/27/2019
Ground Breaking for New Meaford School
Bluewater District School Board is excited to begin construction of the new Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 school build in Meaford.
Minister of Education Stephen Lecce joined local dignitaries, trustees, board staff, contractors, the media, and other supporters for a ground breaking ceremony at the build site next to St. Vincent-Euphrasia Elementary School on Friday, September 27, 2019.
The ground breaking follows recent approval by the Ministry of Education to proceed with the build. A total of 29.4 million dollars in project funding has been approved by the ministry for the new school.
A proposal for a new replacement school was submitted by board staff and received ministry approval following a Meaford area student accommodation review in 2016.
Ministry funding for the project will include 1,033 student spaces and one EarlyON Child and Family Centre room. The build will be designed to meet future enrolment expectations in the Meaford area, and will combine students from Georgian Bay Community and St. Vincent-Euphrasia Elementary Schools.
“As Minister of Education, my top priority is to ensure today’s students learn the skills they will need to get the jobs of tomorrow,” says Minister Lecce. “That begins by investing in a modern learning environment right here in Meaford that will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities on the horizon.”
“We are thrilled to proceed with construction of the new JK to 12 school. Deepest thanks are extended to our staff whose hard work and tireless commitment have been instrumental in getting those first shovels into the ground. We also acknowledge the Ministry of Education and our local MPP Bill Walker for continuing to support and recognize the need for a new school in our community, as well as our many partners and Meaford area families who have generously contributed in multiple ways,” says Fran Morgan, Trustee for the Municipality of Meaford/The Blue Mountains.
“We thank the Ministry of Education for reaffirming its commitment to the success of our students through the approval of this build project. A new state-of-the-art facility will guarantee that public education continues to thrive in Meaford for a very long time,” says Director of Education Alana Murray.
Further information regarding timelines for the new build will be communicated in the coming months.