Students, staff, dignitaries, and community representatives joined together on Thursday, June 5, 2025 to celebrate the official opening and ribbon cutting of the new Beavercrest Community School in Markdale.
Following an exceptional rendition of “O Canada” by the Beavercrest Student Choir, Principal Tennille Schultz facilitated a platform of speaking guests in the state-of-art gymnasium as students, staff, trustees past and present, school council members, media, those involved in the build, and ministry and community partners observed. Words of welcome, thanks, and celebration were extended by Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) Chair Jane Thomson and Director of Education Lori Wilder, followed by Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Paul Vickers, who spoke on behalf of Minister of Education Paul Calandra. Additional remarks were shared by Paul Sapounzi, an architect from The Ventin Group, Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs, and Municipality of Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen.
The 'thank you' list was extensive and included: the Ministry of Education and Government of Ontario for their significant funding investment and commitment to our area resulting in the new build; current MPP Vickers and former MPP Bill Walker for their continued advocacy at the provincial level in support of our rural schools; municipal partners at the County of Grey and Municipality of Grey Highlands, along with child care partners for their ongoing support, guidance, and expertise throughout the project; local businesses and community partners—especially Chapman’s Ice Cream, who strongly supported a new school build in the community and generously donated funding to support the school’s playground, outdoor space, and other areas; local families, students, the school council, and community members, including those who were part of the accommodation review committee; board and school staff, past and present, who worked incredibly hard to see the project through from start to finish; special recognition to the current Beavercrest staff, who worked quickly to move into the new building over March Break; central staff, including John Bumstead and others from the Plant Services department, and those in maintenance, Business Services, Information Communication Technology, and other board administrative staff; trustees, past and present, with a special acknowledgement to former area trustee Jim Dawson; and the contractor and architect, K&L Construction and The Ventin Group for their amazing work, which has resulted in a modernized, beautiful facility.
The new Beavercrest has capacity to accommodate 374 pupils from junior kindergarten to Grade 8, and was made possible through a $20.7-million investment from the Province of Ontario. The new school opened its doors to students on March 17, 2025. The facility also includes an on-site child care and EarlyON center to help meet the growing demand for child care services locally.
“This is an exciting day for the community of Markdale,” noted MPP Paul Vickers. “This new facility is impressive. I am pleased to see our government support this growing community with this new state-of-the-art elementary school.”
MPP Vickers also added that he is thankful to the Ministry of Education for seeing the need to invest and open new schools in Ontario’s rural communities. “As government, it is always important to think about what your legacy will go down as when you make big decisions. I am pleased that ours will be supporting rural schools, communities, and families,” stated Vickers.