The funding, approved by the Ministry of Education, totals nearly $154 million, not including the cost of land. Plans include a new secondary school in southwest London for nearly 2,000 students, a new elementary school in southeast London with space for 655 students and a childcare centre, and a new elementary school in Lucan to replace St. Patrick School.
School officials say the board is growing quickly, with student enrollment increasing by more than 30 per cent over the past five years. The LDCSB now serves more than 28,000 students and employs close to 5,000 staff. To keep up with demand, the board has added more than 100 portable classrooms in recent years, with more planned. At the same time, it is moving ahead with a large number of new construction projects.
With these latest approvals, the board now has 10 major building projects underway or in planning. This includes nine new schools and one large addition, with total costs nearing $600 million before land purchases. Several projects are already in progress, including new elementary schools in northeast London and Kilworth, as well as an addition in Woodstock. More schools are also in the planning stages in different parts of London and St. Thomas.
Board officials say the new schools will help reduce overcrowding and give students more space to learn as communities continue to grow.
Written by: K. Milhomens
