The province's Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, celebrated an official ground-breaking for a new junior kindergarten to Grade 12 school building in Meaford today.
The future school building will also offer local families an EarlyON Child and Family Centre room, where parents and their young children can access free early learning activities and resources.
When completed, the new school will accommodate more than 1,000 students from the surrounding area. The new building will be built on the St. Vincent-Euphrasia Elementary School site in Meaford.
Ontario has provided the Bluewater District School Board with approval to proceed in the amount of $29.4 million to support the construction of the new school building.
Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker was also on hand for the launch of construction today saying the new Georgian Bay Community School will serve the needs of students, families and educators for decades to come.
"As Minister of Education, my top priority is to ensure today's students learn the skills they will need to get the jobs of tomorrow," said Minister Lecce. "That begins by investing in a modern learning environment right here in Meaford that will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities on the horizon."
"This is a very exciting day. Our community getting a brand-new JK to Grade 12 school is wonderful news for hard-working families in Meaford, the Blue Mountains and Grey Highlands," said MPP Bill Walker. "I want to thank everybody for all their hard work in making this important project a reality. The new Georgian Bay Community School will be a bright light in this community and will serve the needs of students, families and educators for decades to come."