The Ontario government is investing $9 million to build a new Orillia Elementary School to help working families in the region.
This investment in the Simcoe County District School Board, announced by Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North, will support the creation of 334 student spaces as part of the Ford Government’s commitment to building modern, accessible, and technologically connected schools for Ontario youth.
The project is part of a provincewide investment of more than $600 million to support new school and child care spaces that were recently announced by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education.
The overall investment will support 78 school and childcare-related projects.
As part of this investment, the province dedicated more than $565 million to create more than 19,700 new student spaces and 1,500 child care spaces at schools across the province.
“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made safer schools a priority, which is why we continue to invest in modern and accessible learning spaces with improved ventilation,” said Minister
Lecce. “This investment is part of our multiyear plan to build, expand, and update schools and child care spaces across our province. It will leave a lasting legacy that benefits working families for years to
come.”
The investment is part of the Ontario government’s commitment to providing $14 billion to support school construction over ten years.
There are currently more than 300 child care and education building-related projects in development across Ontario with more than 100 actively under construction.
“The new Orillia Elementary School is great news for our community,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP for Simcoe North. “This investment will provide choice and flexibility for families and new opportunities for the
children of Orillia.”
The new school will be located in West Orillia. The exact location hasn’t been announced publicly yet as the process of acquiring it continues at this time.
Highlights of the project include:
· 334 elementary student spaces.
“This announcement is great news for our board and the City of Orillia,” said John Dance, Director of Education SCDSB. “We continue to put forward strong business cases for new schools and expansions
and have been fortunate to receive funding for numerous capital priorities in recent years. We appreciate that the Government of Ontario has recognized this need in Orillia, and look forward to working with city staff and community partners on the development of the new school.”
The Ontario government has allocated more than $600 million to support ventilation improvements in schools across Ontario as part of its plans for a safer return to school. The Simcoe County DSB has
benefited from an investment of $14.6 million for ventilation improvements and has 360 HEPA filter units in place.
“As Orillia is experiencing significant growth, it is important that we have relevant infrastructure in place to accommodate our growing neighborhoods,” said Orillia Mayor, Steve Clarke. “Having a
school in this neighborhood will allow access by foot and bicycle and at the same time reduce our carbon footprint. The City is very appreciative of the Province’s investment in this needed project.”
