Halton, Peel Catholic boards receive funds
Province pledges $255M in capital spending that includes daycare spaces
Two boards in Greater Toronto are receiving funding for new schools and renovations, which are among 38 projects announced this week that will also create 460 child-care spaces across the province.
The government’s announcement was welcomed by the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association, which cautioned, however, that the province needs to be more open in how it decides which projects to fund from boards’ own lists of top priorities.
This “is a much-needed and continued investment in the infrastructure of our schools and ultimately in our communities, particularly those that have gone through school consolidations and closures,” association president Laurie French said. The money, announced Monday by Education Minister Mitzie Hunter, will fund 10 new buildings as well as renovations for 28.
“By building the best possible learning environments for our students, we are laying the groundwork for their future success,” Hunter said in a statement. “These new and renovated schools will support the wellbeing and achievement of students across the province for years to come.” The Dufferin-Peel Catholic board will renovate four schools — St. Gregory, St. Herbert, St. Valentine and St. Bernadette — at a cost of $3.1 million, said Bruce Campbell, manager of communications.
“These funds allow us to enhance infrastructure and hence the learning environments at four Mississauga schools that will be receiving students” as the board closes or merges schools.
The Halton Catholic board will put an addition on St. Mark elementary, adding space for 124 students, as well as open a new elementary school in Oakville for 527 students.
In total, the province will spend $255 million on school construction this year, and says it has spent $9.3 billion since 2013.