The replacement of the Beavercrest Community School in Markdale is receiving over $15 million from the provincial government following a project scope change.
Superintendent of Business Services and Treasurer for the board Rob Cummings says, with an additional $6.9 million, this rescoped project will deliver 328 student spaces, 39 childcare spaces, two new child care rooms, and two rooms for EarlyON and Family Centre.
This follows after the ministry of education gave approval in 2020 to purchase more land for the new school which surrounds the current property.
Cummings says the current school will be scheduled for demolition once the board no longer has a use for it.
Cummings adds the scope of the project was adjusted, which would have seen a school with 236 spaces available and four portables attached.
“So we have been working with the ministry on a change to that, so that process has taken a little bit of time but we got through it. Last year we submitted the official application to the ministry for a 328 pupil replacement school, so that is where the scope change was,” says Cummings.
This funding is part of the provincial government’s Plan to Catch Up, by delivering more than $26.6 billion in education funding for the 2022-23 school year.
The plan has five key components including bringing kids back to the classroom and experience all school has to offer, invest more than $175 million for enhanced tutoring, updating the curriculum to prepare students for various types of jobs, providing more money to build schools and improve education, and allocate $90 million to support student mental health.
Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen says the funding is fantastic news for the community of Markdale and Grey Highlands.
“It’s great to see, not only a commitment of 328 new student spaces, but an additional 39 new child care spaces, two new child care rooms, and two room Early ON and Family Centre. Working with Bluewater District School Board has proven by working together we could build a new school, with the co-operation of Devonleigh Homes,” says McQueen.
Bluewater Director of Education Lori Wilder adds they are extremely pleased to receive this latest update so the Beavercrest Community School replacement build project can move forward.
“Thank you to the Ministry of Education for continuing to recognize the need for a new school in Markdale by approving our board’s request for a project scope change. We are excited to get shovels in the ground and see this project transform from concept to reality so that we can support area students as they learn and grow in an amazing facility,” says Wilder.
The new school will be located at Devonleigh Gate in Markdale.
“The timeline should be quick. We are already in a position of design, we will be letting our tender documents out shortly and hopefully commence construction this spring,” says Cummings.