Shovels are in the ground and construction can now begin on the new Catholic elementary school being built in Chatham-Kent.
Deb Crawford, director of education with St. Clair Catholic District School Board, said the new north Chatham public school will house students from multiple institutions.
"We have got some really old buildings that are very difficult to keep up," Crawford said.
According to Crawford, students from St. Agnes, St. Vincent, and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Schools will be moved to the new school located on McNaughton Ave., just west of Keil Dr.
Once that happens, St. Agnes and St. Vincent will close down and students from Monsignor Uyen will be moved over to Our Lady of Fatima (after it is refurbished).
Crawford said the biggest upgrade with the new facility they're building will provide is infrastructure for new technology and the ability to provide support students of all abilities.
"We are going to have a lot of accommodations for our students with special needs," Crawford said. "We'll have the ability to provide rooms for students to meet with therapists. We'll have two story learning centre, which will be very different than your old-fashioned school library."
Crawford added another positive is the grounds will make for a great area to play sports and have outdoor classrooms.
The director of education said the board is still looking at property to get the ball rolling on a new South Chatham School. As for what will happen to the vacant building, Crawford couldn't say at this point.
The new school should be up and running in time for the start of the 2019 school year.