New elementary school scheduled to open in fall of 2025 in Brantford

A new elementary school in west Brantford is scheduled to open in September 2025.

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The school, located on a 2.9 hectare (7.2 acre) parcel of land on Shellard Lane, will be jointly-owned by the Grand Erie District School Board and the City of Brantford. It will accommodate 650 students and include a public library, childcare center and recreation center.

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“This new project represents an exciting partnership that allows Grand Erie to further its collective priorities of providing spaces that nurture curiosity and opportunity, and meet the cognitive, social, emotional and physical needs of each learner,” JoAnna Roberto, the Grand Erie board’s director of education, said in a statement. “It builds inclusive, welcoming environments for staff, students and families.”

The library will have modern computer workstations, private study rooms, a program room and an outdoor reading garden. It will accommodate up to 130 bosses.

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The recreation center will include a gymnasium capable of accommodating basketball, volleyball, badminton, pickle ball and accommodating 150 spectators. The gym can open up to the school gymnasium to hold up to 300 spectators.

As well, the recreation center has a youth space, large meeting room and offices.

Susan Gibson, the board’s chair, said the facility will be unique in its sharing benefits.

“Though distinct spaces are allocated for each component, provision for interactive sharing is inherent in the design,” Gibson said. “The library space, for example, will serve the community, and will also be dedicated at certain hours to the exclusive use of elementary school learners.”

The school will have a double height atrium which will act as a gathering space.

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School board officials say the school will follow the board and the city’s sustainability goals.

Energy efficient mechanical and electrical systems are being selected to minimize operating and maintenance costs.

School board officials say the facility will be a highly efficient and environmentally conscious building, designed to be Net-Zero Ready, allowing for easy future conversion to utilize solar or geothermal systems to meet the ever-increasing needs for energy conservation.

A name for the school hasn’t been decided.

Meanwhile, city officials are “thrilled to be part of this exciting joint build project,” Maria Visocchi, the city’s director, communications, community engagement and customer service, said.

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Visocchi said city staff in September shared the latest designs for the community park at a neighborhood Southwest Community Park Public Information Center, that were well received by attendees. The park will be closed to the new school.

“The park will offer a range of amenities, including a playground, a soccer field, four lit ball diamonds, four pickle ball courts, a ball hockey/multi-use court, washrooms, picnic areas, shade structures, a regulated sized cricket pitch , multiple trails, ample parking, and more,” Visocchi said. “We really look forward to keeping the community updated as this project progresses.”

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