Plans for the Beavercrest Community School replacement build are moving ahead. Bluewater District School Board has received approval from the Ministry of Education for a scope change and approval to proceed to tender for the new school in Markdale. This is supported by an investment of nearly $15.5 million, including additional funding of $6.9 million.
Once completed, the re-scoped project will deliver 328 student and 39 child care spaces for local families.
“We are extremely pleased to receive this latest update so that the Beavercrest Community School replacement build project can move forward,” said Lori Wilder, Bluewater District School Board Director of Education. “Thank you to the Ministry of Education for continuing to recognize the need for a new school in Markdale by approving our board’s request for a project scope change. We are excited to get shovels in the ground and see this project transform from concept to reality so that we can support area students as they learn and grow in an amazing facility.”
“The funding for the new school in Markdale is great news for our community,” said Rick Byers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “This investment will ensure families and students have access to a quality learning environment in the years ahead.”
“Our government is investing $14 billion over ten years to build new schools, improve existing facilities, and create child care spaces to ensure young people can reach their full potential,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “By building the new state-of-the-art Beavercrest Community School in Markdale, as well as investing in tutoring and mental health supports for the year ahead, we are getting students in Markdale back on track now and well into the future.
While we make progress building this new school to support hard-working parents, we remain committed to keeping students in more normal classrooms with extra curriculars, sports, and clubs.”
“This is fantastic news for the community of Markdale and Grey Highlands. It is great to see, not only a commitment of 328 new student spaces, but an additional 39 new child care spaces, two new child care rooms and (a) two-room EarlyON and Family Centre. Working with the Bluewater District School Board has proven (that) by working together, we could build a new school, with the co-operation of Devonleigh Homes,” said Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen. “Thanks to Ministers Lecce and Surma for supporting the new school and Premier Doug Ford, who visited Markdale in 2019. It has been great working with our local MPP Rick Byers, who delivered this wonderful news.”
Bluewater District School Board looks forward to moving ahead to the next phase of the project. Information will be shared with the public on the progress of the build as it becomes available.
Source: Media release, MPP Rick Byers