The Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) is marking the opening of the Stratford Intermediate building which has been delayed due to the Pandemic.
Students and staff started at the new Stratford Intermediate and Stratford District Secondary Schools in September. The 1958 wing was demolished, and replaced by the construction of an 8 classroom addition including washrooms, mechanical room, and administration space.
As the last pieces of the addition and front entranceway are completed, the school is making plans to move into the new addition, new administration offices and beginning to utilize the elevator that will make the building fully accessible.
The board plans to honour the legacies of Stratford Central and Northwestern, as they work toward a Spring celebration in an online format.
AMDSB Director of Education Dr. Lisa Walsh said: “We are pleased to finalize the renovations of our Stratford Intermediate School. The improvements are enabling a safe and accessible space for our students and staff to learn and thrive. We appreciate the many contributions throughout this project and thank the community, parents and students for their involvement as we reorganized our City of Stratford 7 to 12 schools.”
Stratford Trustee Herb Klassen added: “The Board would like to thank all of those involved in finalizing this project on time for students and staff to attend Stratford Intermediate and Stratford District Secondary Schools in September. We plan to honour the legacies of Stratford Central and Northwestern, and we are looking ahead to a new beginning with these new school communities.”
The project involved extensive capital enhancements following the investment of just under $12.3 M. This was made possible due to the funding provided by the Ontario Government and the Ministry of Education, with $5.9 M Capital Priorities Funding provided specifically for this project and $7.16 M School Condition Improvement and School Renewal Capital Grants allocated to this project by AMDSB.
Randy Pettapiece, MPP Perth-Wellington said: “Students and teachers will benefit from the province’s investments in safe and modern facilities. I want to congratulate AMDSB and everyone involved in this project for their outstanding work.”
“The Government of Ontario is listening to hard-working Stratford families and delivering safe and accessible state-of-the-art classrooms that will prepare their children for lifelong success,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “We believe students deserve modern learning environments, which is why your government is investing $13 billion over ten years to build new schools and improve existing school facilities, supported by an immediate $700 million for upgrades this year to further protect schools from COVID-19.”