The government of Ontario is spending about $25.5 million on a new high school in the south end of Guelph that will accommodate about 900 students.
Guelph MPP Liz Sandals made the announcement at the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) office in Guelph on Jan. 19.
“I would like to thank the Ministry of Education very much for their continued support of our board,” said UGDSB director of education Martha Rogers.
“We are thrilled to have received approval for this new high school and look forward to creating a learning environment that will serve our students well for many years to come.”
The new school property is located at the northwest corner of Arkell and Victoria roads and is 7.5 hectares (18.5 acres).
Though the school boundary is not yet decided, board spokesperson Heather Loney said the boundaries for schools in Guelph currently extend into Guelph-Eramosa and Puslinch Townships.
There are also other accommodations for students from Centre Wellington, Erin and other areas to attend College Heights Secondary School and other speciality programs like the International Baccalaureate program at Guelph Collegiate Vocational Institute.
“The board will be undertaking a public review process in accordance with board policy to determine the boundary for the new school, as well as the altered boundaries for the existing schools, as well as the program and number of grades starting at the new school,” Loney said.
“This process will involve public consultation prior to a decision by trustees.”
The new school is part of $784 million in spending across the province to build 39 new schools and undertake 40 major renovations or additions that will include more than 2,700 licensed child care spaces for children.
“Our government’s investment is great News for families in Guelph who will be able to access a new secondary school closer to home,” Sandals said.
“I am proud that we are making a real difference for students and families now and for generations to come.”
Loney said construction of the new high school will take three to five years.
“It takes roughly a year and a half to complete the design portion of the project, and another year and a half to construct the school,” she said. “There are also strict provincial approval processes that the project will have to go through.”
Staff will be working on a timeline for the design and construction. “In addition to the design process, there are ministry approval processes that the board must follow and the land use approvals from the city are all required before building construction can start,” Loney said.
