A major project in West Brant began Thursday as kids, politicians and public school officials sunk their shovels into the ground at the site of what will be a new elementary school, rec center, public library and park.
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The ground-breaking, held at the corner of Shellard Lane and Strickland Avenue, drew representatives of all three partners: the Grand Erie District School Board, the City of Brantford and the Brantford Public Library.
“This project has been a partnership in the truest sense of the word,” said JoAnna Roberto, director of education at the public board.
“Thanks to a lot of cooperation and collaboration, we’re achieving something greater than the sum of its parts.”
The new school will hold about 650 students and include a 64-space child-care center. It’s expected to open in September 2026.
The school will have a triple gymnasium with a pickle-ball court and seating for about 150.
A featured library will be a new branch serving both the school and the larger community with 13,500 sq. ft. of programming space, study rooms and an outdoor reading terrace.
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An adjacent park will feature 24 acres, including sports fields, meeting space and walking paths.
The entire project represents an investment of more than $67 million with more than $33 million provided through the Ministry of Education.
The city and library system are investing about $30 million.
Mayor Kevin Davis said he was excited the planned Southwest Community Centre and Park will include the city’s first regulation-size cricket field, along with a much-needed new daycare centre.
“(It) will greatly enhance quality of life for residents in the rapidly growing west end of the city,” said Davis.
Marion McGeein, the chair of the Brantford Public Library, said expanding into West Brant has been a long-standing goal of her board.
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“Convenient access to the library means more opportunities for literacy and learning activities, discovery and connecting, for residents of all ages.”
Representing the province at the ground-breaking, MPP Will Bouma said Ontario is providing about $16 billion to support school construction, renewal and improvement over the space of 10 years.
“This is great news for our community,” Bouma said.
“This investment will ensure families and students have access to a quality learning environment in the years ahead.”
Construction on the new school and library begins next month
@EXPSGamble
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