With another school year concluded, the St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) is focused on completing some key projects in Sarnia.
Interim Manager of Facility Services Rachel Chortos said crews will be wrapping up work at the new location for Sarnia's Sacred Heart Catholic School (former Gregory A. Hogan site) on Hogan Drive.
"We have expanded the gymnasium and done some significant interior renovations, including a new main entrance, expanding the library, and freshening up a lot of the finishes throughout, [including] flooring, painting and millwork," said Chortos.
The board is focused on completing exterior work in the back play yard this summer.
"The students will have a refreshed asphalt tarmac surface with new basketball nets, a new volleyball court out in the yard, and we're also working with the parent council at the school," Chortos said. "They are fundraising an initiative to refresh the play equipment that's currently at the existing school location on Lacaron Avenue."
The equipment will be moved and installed at 1825 Hogan Drive.
Chortos said occupancy has already been obtained for the majority of the building, which will welcome English students this fall.
"Teachers have started moving in and setting up their things, and we'll be moving all of the furniture over in July. So, we are on track for a September start at that school," she said.
Wellington Builders started the building's renovation and expansion in June 2024 after asbestos abatement was completed.
Students at the old Gregory A. Hogan moved into the new $24 million French Immersion school on The Rapids Parkway in 2024.
Elsewhere, the gym at St. Patrick's High School will see renovations this summer.
"We're preparing to host a basketball SWOSSAA (South Western Ontario Secondary School Athletic Association) event in November," said Chortos. "We will be refinishing and doing some touch up painting on the wood floor, installing new basketball nets, and shot clocks on the main basketball courts, replacing the bleachers and adding a new drop down stage that the school can use for assemblies and pep rallies."
New outdoor play equipment is being installed at St. Michael (Bright's Grove) and Holy Trinity, and a shade structure is planned at Gregory A. Hogan thanks to extensive fundraising by parent councils.
Meanwhile at the Lambton Kent District School Board;
Several jobs are underway at Northern Collegiate Institute and Vocational School, including resurfacing of the track, an elevator addition, construction of a new barrier free washroom, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) upgrades.
New air conditioning is being installed in Kindergarten classrooms and the library at King George VI Sarnia. Renovations are also being done in the Alternative Learning and Life Skills Program (ALLP) classroom.
Work is underway to finalize construction of a new daycare and two classroom additions at Errol Village Public School in Camlachie.
A new baseball diamond is being built at Lambton Centennial Public School through the Jays Care Foundation's Field of Dreams program.