Students in Essa Township are set to benefit from additional classroom space as the Ontario government invests $6 million toward an expansion at Baxter Central Public School.
The funding is part of a province-wide school construction announcement that will see Ontario invest $1.6 billion in 79 school projects, creating more than 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed child care spaces across the province.
Locally, the funding will support a new addition at Baxter Central Public School on Denney Drive in Baxter. The project is expected to create 141 new elementary student spaces for the Simcoe County District School Board.
According to the province, the expansion is intended to help address growing enrolment pressures in the area and ensure students have access to learning spaces closer to home.
Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson said the project will help meet the needs of a growing student population in Essa Township while supporting local families.
The Simcoe County District School Board says elementary enrolment in the Angus area has increased significantly over the past five years, placing added pressure on several schools, including Baxter Central.
Board CEO Dawn Stephens said the project will include an addition creating 92 pupil spaces, along with a retrofit of the school’s library that will add another 49 student spaces. She said the improvements will help provide a modern learning environment for students in the community.
Essa Township Mayor Sandie Macdonald and council welcomed the funding announcement, saying the expansion will help address overcrowding, improve learning environments, support educational programs and provide students with updated facilities.
The project is being funded through Ontario’s Capital Priorities program, which supports the construction of new schools, permanent additions, renovations and school acquisitions. The province says it plans to invest more than $22 billion over the next decade in school construction, renewal and improvement projects.
A timeline for construction has not yet been announced.
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