Stoney Creek school additions finally get green light
Hamilton’s public school board had hoped to begin construction on both multimillion-dollar projects last summer
Work can finally begin on additions to Stoney Creek’s Collegiate Avenue and Mount Albion public elementary schools now that they’ve received the province’s long-sought approval to proceed to construction. Flamborough-Glanbrook MPP Donna Skelly announced both approvals on Feb. 18, less than two weeks after Education Minister Stephen Lecce told Hamilton Community News during a local visit that he would issue a decision “in short order.”
Hamilton’s public school board had hoped to begin construction on both projects last summer, with the $10.2million Collegiate addition awaiting the minister’s signature since last March — back when Lisa Thompson was in the role.
The province is contributing $6 million to the 213-student addition, with the board using $4.2 million of its own money for other upgrades, including a bigger gym.
The $8.6-million Mount Albion addition is adding 10 classrooms, or 230 pupil spaces, and three child-care rooms for 49 kids.
The province’s share of the overall bill is $6.5 million.
The board is also using its own money for the balance of the project, including a bigger gym.
Both projects had been approved by the former Liberal government and Skelly called their pending construction “great news for our community.” “This investment will provide a quality learning environment and new opportunities for the children of Stoney Creek,” Skelly said in a media release.
School board chair Alex Johnstone thanked Lecce for “acknowledging these investments are important” to the board, students and families.
She also praised Skelly and Stoney Creek New Democrat MPP Paul Miller — the latter of whom blasted the delays — for their efforts to get the projects going.
Collegiate Avenue closed last June in anticipation of construction starting over the summer, with most affected students attending Green Acres and R.L. Hyslop schools, which are scheduled to shut permanently once the addition is completed.
“This is very exciting news for the students and families who have been looking forward to these projects getting underway,” Johnstone said.
“I know our school communities are excited to see the realization of this school renewal.”