Long-awaited funding announced for a new elementary school in Simcoe County
The Ontario government announced $23.8 million in funding to construct a new elementary school and community center in Oro-Medonte.
It's news the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) and the Township of Oro-Medonte have been waiting to hear.
"We're very thrilled," said SCDSB Chairperson Jodi Lloyd. "The project has been in the works for a number of years, so we're very anxious to get it moving forward and get shovels in the ground."
The new school will be built on a lot purchased by the town in 2013 at 739 Horseshoe Valley Road.
Artist rendering of a new elementary school in Oro-Medonte, Ont. (Supplied)
"We secured the land well before they put out tenders for schools, so we had the land secured. We have personally put $7 million into a community centre that will also act as a gymnasium for the school," said Mayor Randy Greenlaw.
Officials say the new school is necessary as the population grows in Horseshoe Valley, with at least 357 elementary spaces.
"It was really, really critical. It's been on the books for many years, and it's something I heard from the residents, and I've heard from young parents out there, and it's something that the township is partnering with us on," said Barrie-Springwater-Oro-Medonte MPP Doug Downie.
The community centre is expected to be over 14,000 square feet and include a gym, multi-purpose room, change rooms and more.
Once the tender process and final approvals are complete, construction of the new school can begin.
There is no word yet on a completion date, but the town hopes to have students in the classroom by 2025.
The investment is part of the province's commitment to provide $15 billion to support school construction, repair, and renewal over 10 years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6976926.1721883767!/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.png)
AS IT HAPPENED Wildfire reaches Jasper Wednesday night, causes 'significant loss'
One of two wildfires threatening Jasper National Park reached the townsite Wednesday night and caused 'significant loss.'
Alberta calls in army to assist with wildfire situation
Alberta has called in the Canadian Armed Forces to help assist with the worsening wildfire situation in the province.
Biden explains why he ended re-election bid in Oval Office address
U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday delivered a solemn call to voters to defend the country's democracy as he laid out in an Oval Office address his decision to drop his bid for reelection and throw his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP 'blacked-out' and crashed car into window of child care centre
Staff at a Barrie child care centre say they are frustrated by what they call a local MPP's inadequate response after a car crashed through a window in one of the toddler rooms.
Norad intercepts Russian and Chinese bombers operating together near Alaska in apparent first
The North American Aerospace Defence Command (Norad) intercepted two Russian and two Chinese bombers flying near Alaska Wednesday in what appears to be the first time the two countries have been intercepted while operating together.
2 Canadians being 'sent home immediately,' removed from Olympic team after drone incident
An analyst and an assistant coach with Canada Soccer are being removed from the Canadian Olympic Team and 'sent home immediately,' according to the Canadian Olympic Committee.
An unwelcome attendee has joined the Paris Olympic Games: COVID-19
After a handful of Australian water polo players tested positive for COVID-19 this week, questions have emerged around how the spread of the disease will be mitigated at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.
Vacations, meals, booze: Contractor used $100K of charity's money for personal expenses, B.C. court finds
A B.C. man who was hired to help a non-profit build a food hub but instead spent the money on personal expenses – including travel, restaurants, booze and cannabis – has been ordered to pay more than $120,000 in damages.
Male, female killed, 2 others injured in 'gun battle' outside Toronto plaza: police
Two people are dead and two others suffered serious injuries following a shooting that police have described as a 'gun battle' outside a plaza in Scarborough, Ont. early Wednesday morning.