St. Mary's High School in Owen Sound. (supplied image)
St. Mary’s High School in Owen Sound is getting a major addition that will allow the facility to accommodate another 700 students.
The Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board has received approval from the Ministry of Education for $19.7-million in funding for the project from the Ontario government’s 2020-21 Capital Priorities Program.
Through the program, the Ontario government is investing $550 million to build 20 new schools and make upgrades to eight existing facilities.
The news concerning the major expansion at St. Mary’s High School in Owen Sound comes just a day after the Bluewater District School Board announced it is receiving $26.4-million for a new Grades 7 to 12 school in Kincardine from the Capital Priorities Program.
Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Progressive Conservative MPP Bill Walker was on hand at St. Mary’s High School on Friday afternoon to tout the funding for the new addition.
“These are not just investments in bricks and mortar, our government is investing in the future of our children by creating a better learning environment,” says Walker in a statement. “By building and upgrading these schools we are providing students with access to modern classroom settings and the latest technology which will lead to new opportunities and lifelong success.”
Owen Sound Mayor Ian Boddy and several Bruce-Grey Catholic School board officials, including board chair Lori Di Castri and Director of Education Gary O’Donnell were also in attendance.
The original building of St. Mary’s High School was built in 1891.
Di Castri says St. Mary’s has been over capacity for many years and the funding will allow for the much needed addition and renovations.
“During these months of uncertainty and change, we at Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board have remained focused on providing high quality faith based education to our communities,” Di Castri says. “We are a people of hope and patience and today we are a people of joy and thanks. Our community will benefit greatly from the Ontario Government’s investment in our infrastructure, which in turn is an investment in our youth.”
No immediate word on the timeline for when work on the new addition at St. Mary’s High School will begin.