The much-needed expansion of a crowded public school in Listowel will receive an additional $2.1 million from the province to cover “ever-rising” costs, officials have announced.
The much-needed expansion of a crowded public school in Listowel will receive an additional $2.1 million from the province to cover “ever-rising” costs, officials have announced.
Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae unveiled the funds in a press release Tuesday.
“This is an important announcement for Listowel, surrounding communities and the many young families that reside here,” Rae said. “It is investments like these that make our rural communities both more affordable and attractive for families.”
The province – through Rae’s predecessor, Randy Pettapiece – first announced a $4.3-million building addition at Listowel Eastdale elementary school last year. The project, now receiving $6.4 million from Queen’s Park, is still expected to create 98 new student spaces and 49 new childcare spaces in North Perth.
Cheri Carter, the Avon Maitland District school board’s superintendent of corporate services, said Tuesday the addition at Listowel Eastdale will require a final review from the province before the board can tender the work, something she hopes will happen “in the coming months.”
“We look forward to the next phase of this project and appreciate the continued and additional support from the province,” Carter said. “This funding will help cover the ever-rising costs of creating the much-needed elementary student spaces at Listowel Eastdale and provide additional childcare spaces in the Listowel community.”
“We are thrilled to engage in this multi-sector partnership that enables us all to support the families that we serve,” added Dr. Lisa Walsh, the Avon Maitland board’s director of education. “This additional funding … will support our project to reduce space pressures at Listowel Eastdale and improve access to child care for Listowel families. We are grateful for this support.”
Multiple public schools in the community north of Stratford are struggling to accommodate students as the region’s population continues to grow.
During a boundary review the Avon Maitland board conducted last year in order to weigh its options in North Perth, trustees heard that Listowel Eastdale, Mornington Central and North Perth Westfield are all over capacity.
Facing opposition from parents concerned about a plan to move some Grade 7 and 8 students into Listowel District secondary school, trustees decided instead to buy additional portables at North Perth Westfielda move that would temporarily ease the area’s enrollment crunch for about four to six years.
Tuesday’s announcement about the expansion at Listowel Eastdale came shortly after the province approved a request from the school board to bump funding for a childcare addition at Milverton public school from $1.1 million to $2.9 million.
Provincial funds for both projects are part of a $14-billion investment to support school construction, repair and renewal over 10 years, according to the government. Since 2018, the province has spent over $2 billion on capital projects in education, including 100 new schools, 88 additions and renovations, and 6,410 new licensed child care spaces.