The Province of Ontario is investing $78.1 million to build one new school and expand three others in Niagara Region.
The capital projects include a new school in Fort Erie and the expansion of three schools in Pelham, Port Colborne and Fort Erie. Upon completion, they will deliver 897 new elementary student spaces, 506 new secondary student spaces and 108 new licensed child care spaces for local families in the District School Board of Niagara (DSBN).
The funding is from the Ontario Capital Priorities Program, an initiative by the Ministry of Education that supports the construction of new schools, permanent additions, renovations and school purchases. Funds are allocated after Ontario school boards submit their cases to the Ministry of Education. Projects are then ranked and approved based on urgent need such as high enrolment growth, facility condition and opportunities to merge schools or create joint-use facilities.
“Every year, school boards submit business cases to the Ministry of Education to identify and address their most urgent student accommodation needs. For DSBN, these cases align with growth needs outlined in the board’s long-term accommodation plan. We are pleased that approval and funding has recently been confirmed,” said Milica Petkovic, DSBN public relations manager.
This year’s capital is part of Ontario’s commitment to provide more than $22 billion over 10 years to support new school construction, renewal and improvements.
NDSB project details include:
- A new $26.4-million south-central elementary school in Fort Erie, at a site to be acquired, with the capacity for 513 students and 49 licensed child care spaces.
- A $17.2-million addition to Oakwood School, 255 Omar Ave. in Port Colborne, with space for 199 more students and 49 additional licensed child care spaces.
- A $14.6-million addition to Glynn A. Green Public School, 1353 Pelham St. in Fonthill, with space for 185 new students and 10 additional licensed child care spots.
- A $19.9-million addition to Greater Fort Erie Secondary School, 1640 Garrison Rd., will provide space for 506 new students.
For the school addition projects, it is anticipated construction will begin in spring 2027 for Oakwood School and summer 2027 for Glen A, Green and Greater Fort Erie as well as the new elementary school in Fort Erie.
Petkovic says the DSBN follows procurement procedures according to broader public sector guidelines and the projects will be going out for RFP to potential architects shortly.
“We are grateful for the continued partnership and support of the Ministry of Education,” said Kelly Pisek, director of education at the DSBN.
“Every investment in our schools is an investment in our students. This is exciting news for the District School Board of Niagara and for the families and communities we serve.”
The projects reflect the need for more education spaces to accommodate population growth, which, according to its official plan, the region is preparing for a minimum population of 694,000 people and 272,000 jobs by 2051. That is an increase of over 200,000 people and 85,000 jobs compared to 2021.
