Board gets go-ahead for Greensville school contract

Construction on site can start as early as September, says chair

The province has given Hamilton’s public school board the green light to award a contract to build a new elementary school in Greensville.

Hamilton public school board chair Alex Johnstone said the approval means construction can start as early as next month, with the replacement school opening 12 to 16 months after work gets underway.

“We’re thrilled for the community and to have the new school built,” she said. “It’s been a long time in the works.”

Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly announced the next step in the process Friday.

The province had already given the go-ahead to go to tender for up to $12 million on the new school.

“This is something I’ve been working toward for quite some time,” she said in a news release.

“There were some significant challenges to overcome in terms of budgeting, design alterations and of course, a change in government during the process, but at the end of the day, we all had a common goal and I couldn’t be happier to see the project get the go ahead.”

The school board first received approval in November 2015 to use Ministry of Education and board funding to build a new school on the old Greensville site to house students from Greensville and Spencer Valley.

Greensville closed in June 2017, and the ministry approved demolition that same month.

The project had been held up due to cost overruns after bids came in overbudget following a second re-tendering of the project in April.

Previous tenders for the $11.9million project included a public library and community centre to be paid for by the city, but there will now be a phased construction approach to reduce costs.

Friday’s approval will accommodate space for 381 elementary school pupils and two child-care rooms, according to the news release.

“We are excited to get shovels in the ground, begin construction and have students settled into their new elementary school on the Greensville site,” area trustee Paul Tut said in the release.

“This is great news for area residents who have been patiently awaiting a collaborative community hub that will include Ministry daycare followed by a city community centre and library branch.”

Earlier this summer, the board warned unusually slow provincial approvals could jeopardize construction timelines on school projects, including Greensville.