Major construction that will transform Elgin Avenue Public School will begin in February.
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The Grand Erie District School Board issued a news release this week saying it had received formal approval and funding from the Ministry of Education for the project.
The work will expand the size of the existing school, built in 1947, by more than 17,000 square feet.
It will include:
- A four-classroom kindergarten addition to the northeast section of the building.
- A new accessible entrance will house a new elevator, accessing all existing floors.
- A new three-room childcare and one EarlyON room.
- Significant renovations and upgrades to the existing building footprint.
“We’re grateful for the ministry’s continued support and the opportunities it will bring to Grand Erie,” said Susan Gibson, chair of the board. “Through the support from the ministry, amazing schools like Elgin Avenue Public School are revitalized to build a culture of learning, well-being and belonging for students and staff.”
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Ryan Strang, the school board’s manager of communications, said preparatory work at the school has already been done, including the transfer of teaching materials to nearby West Lynn Public School, and putting other items into storage. The HVAC systems have been decommissioned in preparation for the installation of new units, a geotechnical study has been conducted, along with asbestos abatement.
Elgin Avenue students were moved to West Lynn for the start of the 2024-25 school year.
Strang said the renovated school is expected to reopen sometime between January and March 2026.
In 2016, the board conducted an accommodation review that recommended the closure of West Lynn and improvements to Elgin Avenue.
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The total cost of the project is $18.6 million, with about $12 million coming from the Ministry of Education; and $6.6 from Grand Erie.
“We’re excited to move forward with this project at Elgin Avenue and appreciate the Ministry of Education’s commitment to renewing infrastructure across the Grand Erie District School Board,” said JoAnna Roberto, director of education.
Some parents at West Lynn have disputed “outdated” findings from the 2016 accommodation plan that predicted enrollment at West Lynn and Elgin Avenue would continue to decline. They say Simcoe will need another school in the near future to accommodate an influx of students that has already begun. They say both schools are needed.
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