Construction of a new Catholic elementary school in Sarnia is expected to begin in May.
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board (SCCDSB) recently received approval from the Ontario Ministry of Education to proceed with construction of the new Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School.
The project was initially estimated to cost $17 million but Director of Education Scott Johnson said additional funding of about $4 million was provided by the ministry.
"One of the reasons we had a delay in the process, in working with a cost consultant from the ministry, the cost of doing business has increased since we were first granted permission," said Johnson. "We will continue to move forward with the plan, very similar to what we had put together for us by Cornerstone Architecture [in 2021].
The $21.8 million school will be located on The Rapids Parkway, and will be the new home to French Immersion in Sarnia.
Johnson said the school board is currently in the process of issuing a tender for a general contractor.
"This new facility will be state-of-the-art, it's going to be bright, it will be collaborative, it will be filled with 21st-century technology, serving about 659 students," he said.
The school will also include a five-room child care centre and an expanded 900 square foot community room. Funding for the expanded room was provided in 2021 through a $200,000 donation by the Hogan family.
"When you build rooms like this, the ministry doesn't approve them for funding, they don't give us money to create these multi-purpose rooms," said Johnson. "This big, bright, beautiful room will be right at the entrance of the school and will be available to staff and students but also to community partners."
Johnson said since the school will be on an eight acre lot, there will be a lot of outdoor space for students to use as well.
The new school is projected to open in September 2023.
Students from the current Gregory A. Hogan Catholic School will relocate to the new site once it opens and students from Sacred Heart Catholic School will relocate to the current Gregory A. Hogan site. At this time, a decision has not been made on what will happen with the Sacred Heart facility.
The transitions will ensure each school facility is the "right size for their student populations."
-With files from Stephanie Chaves