Hamilton receiving $33.5M for two new schools and more child-care spaces
Hamilton is getting two new public elementary schools and 149 new childcare spaces as part of $255 million in education spending by the province of Ontario.
Education Minister Mitzie Hunter made the announcement Monday at Glen Brae Elementary School on Secord Drive in Hamilton’s east end — a school among those slated for closure and whose students will attend the new east-end school.
The other new school is slated for Stoney Creek to replace Memorial Elementary School.
Hamilton’s share of the funding is $33.5 million and includes the new schools, nine child-care rooms and an addition to Collegiate Avenue Elementary School in Stoney Creek.
In total, the additions create 1,390 student spaces.
“These new projects are an important investment in the success and well-being of Hamilton students and their benefits will be felt well beyond the classroom,” Hunter said.
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board chair Todd White said he was “very excited” by the announcement.
“Our top three priorities have been addressed,” he said.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about our students and our communities. And it’s announcements like this that really give them that type of hope,” White said.
Letters will be going home to families, he added.
The Hamilton projects are among 10 new schools and 28 renovations scheduled for construction in the province.
These also include two projects in Halton — Oakville is slated for a new Catholic grade school and Burlington’s St. Mark Catholic Elementary School is getting an addition.
The new school funding comes as communities across the province go through often tense accommodation reviews to decide whether to close or consolidate certain schools.
On Monday, outside Glen Brae Elementary, Hunter was met with protesters upset about the planned closure of Robert Bateman High School in Burlington.
Hunter said she recognizes these are difficult conversations to have and that there have been some “tough accommodation reviews.”
“That’s where we really put the onus on the boards to make sure they’re following a good process,” she said.
But ultimately, Hunter said, “I believe that in the majority of cases the accommodation review has worked.”
Below are local projects receiving provincial education funding:
Burlington: Halton Catholic District School Board
An addition to St. Mark Catholic Elementary School to accommodate 124 students
Three child-care rooms, 49 childcare spaces
Oakville: Halton Catholic District School Board
A new school with space for 527 students from JK to Grade 8
Hamilton: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
A new elementary school with space for 682 students
Three child-care rooms, 49 childcare spaces Stoney Creek:
Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
An addition to Collegiate Avenue Elementary School to accommodate 213 students
Three child-care rooms, 49 childcare spaces
Stoney Creek: Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
A new elementary school with space for 495 students
Three child-care rooms, 49 childcare spaces