Ontario Construction News staff writer
A unique elementary and secondary school will be built on a shared site in the Town of Wasaga Beach.
An MOU signed with Lakehead programming University and Canadore College will allow programming delivered through the Town’s twin-pad arena and library, and within shared facilities on the new site. Programming will be targeted to skilled trade professions in construction, childcare, healthcare and hospitality.
“Canadore College is leading the way in training people to fill the shortage of skilled workers in the communities it serves across Ontario and Canada,” said Canadore College President and CEO George Burton. “The trades provide stimulating and rewarding careers, and they can pay very well.
“Students graduate from our trades programs with the skills industries require. We’re pleased to collaborate with the Town of Wasaga Beach, the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, and our post-secondary partners, to provide programming that will benefit students pursuing a career in the trades.“
The Ontario Ministry of Education will fund a partnership proposal developed by the town and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board to build an innovative K-12 campus adjacent to the new Wasaga Stars Arena and Wasaga Beach Public Library.
“This unique project will deliver more than additional elementary school capacity, a childcare centre and a community theatre for Wasaga Beach,” Mayor Brian Smith in a press release. “It is the first high school in the history of our community, and it is long overdue.”
The project includes a new community theatre that students will have access to during the school day, which will be available to the community on evenings and weekends.
“By leveraging $60 million of existing municipal infrastructure in the new twin-pad arena and library, we are able to deliver an expanded range of community uses, save money for tax-payers, and deliver a K-12 school for our community at a more affordable price for the school board,” said CAO Andrew McNeill. “This collaboration demonstrates the power of partnerships and we believe it exemplifies what the province is looking to achieve with community hubs.”
Construction is expected to be completed in 2027.