Plans to build a new $34-million elementary school in West Brant are moving ahead with approval by the Grand Erie District School Board to tender the project.
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The new joint-use school, to be built at Shellard Lane and Strickland Avenue, will accommodate 650 students and include a four-room childcare center.
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The school board has partnered with the City of Brantford and the Brantford Public Library on the project, which will also include a library and a triple gymnasium. The city and library are investing about $30 million.
The 108,000-square-foot building will include 23 regular classrooms, four kindergarten classrooms, two specialized services spaces, 32,500 square feet of space for a recreation/community center and gymnasiums, a 13,500-square-foot library and landscape areas that include playgrounds, open space recreation areas, walkways, fencing and lighting.
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The new school will help relieve pressure on neighboring schools, including Edith Monture, Walter Gretzky and Agnes G. Hodge, which are over capacity and use multiple laptops.
The $2.8-million childcare center will have four rooms – one for infants, one for toddlers, one for preschoolers and another for older children.
The library will have modern computer workstations, private study rooms, a program room and an outdoor reading garden.
The library will serve the community and be dedicated at certain hours to students’ exclusive use.
The recreation center will include a gym for basketball, volleyball, badminton and pickle ball with up to 150 spectators. The gym can open up to the school gymnasium for up to 300 spectators. The rec center will have youth space, a large meeting room and offices.
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A double height atrium in the school will act as a gathering space.
A report from Rafal Wyszynski, superintendent of business and treasurer, said the board received approval from the ministry earlier this month to proceed to tender on the new school. At a meeting on Monday, the board approved the school design for release of tender documents.
Construction is expected to begin in July with a grand opening of the school set for September 2026.
The Southwest Community Park, located near the school and being developed and funded by the city, will offer a range of amenities, including a playground, soccer field, lit ball diamonds, pickleball courts, multiple trails, and parking.
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