Markdale is about to boom, and closing it's only elementary school makes no sense, according to many of the speakers at a special Bluewater District School Board meeting.
The meeting was held to get public input on a board staff report, and calls for the closure of Beavercrest in June due to declining enrolment.
Speaker after speaker had facts and figures showing the Markdale area is on the verge of a population boom, with GTA development moving north.
Chapman's Ice Cream owner Ashley Chapman was one of the 13 presenters at the meeting. He has pledged Chapman's will contribute $2-million to build a new school. Not only that, he has a Toronto developer, Parataxis Design and Development, who has promised the same amount.
Chapman says what they want is more time.
"We're not asking them to build a school in the next few months with our money, we're asking them to delay this judgement, see what the enrolment goes up in a year's time, two year's time. They won't have any out of pocket costs. Really it's such a win win situation for them," says Chapman.
Developer Paul Bonwick's company is working on a 55 single family home development in the Markdale area with more to come.
"Markdale is going to grow. It's on a major transportation corridor, it has an exceptional quality of life, it's got the regional health care facility that's coming in, you're seeing a demographic swing out of the city." says Bonwick, adding it would be much more difficult to attract families to the area without a school.
Grey Highlands Council has promised $200,000 over four years to cover the operating deficit of Beavercrest school.
Beavercrest School grade six students Jadyn Levitt and Sydney Martin, addressing Bluewater Board public meeting Thursday, March 9, 2017. (photo by Kirk Scott)
Mayor Paul McQueen echoes Chapman's call for more time.
"All we're asking for right now is give us the time to have that conversation, give us the time to take a pause and let us have that conversation to get more into the details and work together," says McQueen.
Among the presenters were two Beavercrest students, Jadyn Levit and Sydney Martin. They're both 11, in Grade 6 and say they love their school.
"There's so many nice people and so many volunteers that have helped me over the years and same with Sydney here and all of our friends. We have really come a long way," says Jadyn.
Bluewater board trustees are to make the final decision on the fate of Beavercrest school next month.