Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker was thrilled to attend the official opening of the new Georgian Bay Community School in Meaford on September 30.
Walker was joined by Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus, The Blue Mountains Mayor Alar Soever, Bluewater District School Board Chair Jane Thomson, Director of Education Lori Wilder, Superintendent of Education Keith Lefebvre, School Council Chairs Sarah Milne and Tarren Gilchrist, local school board Trustee Fran Morgan, Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Alex Ruff, Principal Kevin Wilson, Vice-Principals Julie Phillips and Danielle Carson and Student Senator Wren Marritt for the ribbon-cutting ceremony that officially opened the new school. The ceremony was broadcast live to students in their classrooms and to the community over the internet.
“This is a great day for Meaford and all the staff and students at Georgian Bay Community School,” said Walker. “The new school will provide a quality learning environment and new opportunities for the children attending this brand-new school.”
As part of Ontario’s ongoing efforts to build and improve local schools, the province provided Bluewater District School Board with $29.6 million to build the new school. The new school is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 facility and includes an EarlyON Child and Family Centre.
Construction of Georgian Bay Community School finished over the summer and the facility welcomed staff and students for the new school year. The new school is a consolidation of St. Vincent-Euphrasia Elementary School, Meaford Community School and Georgian Bay Secondary School and is located at the site of the former St. Vincent-Euphrasia Elementary School.
“There is so much to look forward to as St. Vincent-Euphrasia Elementary School and Georgian Bay Community School students, staff, and families join together to create a new history and sense of community in this remarkable new facility,” says Bluewater District School Board Chair Jane Thomson. “Thank you to the Ministry of Education for supporting this significant investment in the Meaford community, MPP Bill Walker for his ongoing advocacy and support, our administrative and school staff for their years of hard work, members of the build team for bringing the design to life, and of course, our students, parents, guardians, and families, who have contributed in numerous ways since the proposal for a new school was first introduced.”
“Welcoming students from Thornbury to our new J.K to grade 12 school and including the very important EarlyON Child and Family Centre all under one roof, provides a creative and innovative opportunity to enrich the learning and the lives of our young people. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead for community engagement in our new school, and eager to see how we can all grow… together,” said Meaford Mayor Barb Clumpus.
Ontario’s investment in new and updated schools will create the foundation for a modern learning environment for hundreds of students across the province.
“From modernizing our curriculum to revitalizing our classrooms and their facilities, we are investing in our students and giving them every tool to achieve their full potential,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “Our construction of the new Georgian Bay Community School further demonstrates our government’s historic investment in Ontario’s schools and our overall commitment to supporting our students and families.”
- The Ontario Government is working with school board partners to invest in capital projects that advance safe and accessible learning opportunities for students.
- To create new opportunities for Ontario’s families, the government is investing up to $1 billion to create up to 30,000 new child care spaces in schools over five years.
- Over the next ten years, the Ontario government is investing $14 billion in capital grants, including allocating $550 million in 2020-21 for new schools, additions and major renovations.
- This massive investment will build new schools and help existing schools after a decade of closures and maintenance backlog.
- Ontario has announced additional funding of $25 million to further improve ventilation in schools as students return for in-person learning this fall. This additional funding brings the net new investments in school ventilation to $600 million.
- The province is also providing school boards with a historic $1.4 billion in funding to renew and maintain existing schools.
- This funding could be used to replace aging heating or air conditioning systems, repair roofs and windows, and install important accessibility features like elevators and ramps.
