The Ontario government has provided Bluewater District School Board with an extra $1.1 million in funding toward the new school in Markdale. The province also approved a scope change for the construction of the new Beavercrest Community School to create more student spaces. The total investment now adds up to $20.7 million.
Once completed, this project will deliver 374 elementary spaces, up from the 328 spaces in the original plan. That means there will be two extra classrooms. The school will also offer 39 licensed child care spaces in two new childcare rooms, along with an Early ON centre for local families.
“The additional funding for the new Beavercrest Community School in Markdale is great news for our community,” said Rick Byers, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “This investment will ensure families and students have access to a quality learning environment in the years ahead.”
"We are incredibly grateful to the Ministry of Education and MPP Rick Byers for supporting our request to secure additional funding to meet growing student enrolment projections at the new Beavercrest Community School," said Bluewater District School Board Director of Education Lori Wilder. "Construction is well underway and we can hardly wait to celebrate the opening of a beautiful modern learning facility with child care spaces for Markdale area students and families."
Details on the timeline for completion will be announced by Bluewater District School Board as the project develops. The new school will be located at 150 Devonleigh Gate in Markdale.
The investment is part of Ontario’s commitment to providing about $16 billion to support school construction renewal, and improvement over 10 years.
“As a father, I understand that the local school really is the heart of the community, and that it’s so important for young families to have a school that’s close to home,” said Todd Smith, Minister of Education. “Our government is listening to hard-working moms and dads, which is why we are delivering a new, state-of-the-art Beavercrest Community School for Markdale families, along with increasing funding, staffing and a back-to-basics focus on reading, writing and math to help ensure students graduate with the fundamental skills they need to succeed."