Bill Walker, MPP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, confirmed yesterday that the Ministry of Education will be funding a new Kindergarten to grade 12 community school in Meaford.

The Bluewater District School Board applied for capital funds for a new elementary school in Meaford in March 2016, and the approval announcement for a $24 million facility was made in April 2016  by then Minister of Education, Liz Sandals. Meaford Community School closed in June 2016, and that fall St. Vincent/Euphrasia School became a JK-3 school and Georgian Bay Secondary School (GBSS) became a grade 4-12 school.

“Our government is pleased to support the building of the new Georgian Bay Community School for our community in the Meaford area,” Walker said. “We know that high-quality learning environments set the stage for student success.”

When the project is completed, Georgian Bay Community School will feature space for more than 1,000 elementary and secondary students and will also include an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, with free drop-in early years services and programs for young children and their families.  

Minister of Education Lisa Thompson said, “Schools are central hubs in many parts of our province. Our government is committed to supporting projects like the new Georgian Bay Community School in Meaford so that students, families and local communities have the spaces and supports to grow and thrive.”

“We are very excited to move forward with the build of a brand new JK-12 school to meet the needs of Meaford area students. Many in the community are looking forward to this project, which will provide sustainable elementary and secondary education in Meaford for years to come,” said Bluewater District School Board Chair Jan Johnstone. “We are thankful to the Ministry of Education for its funding commitment and ongoing support of this project.”

source: media release, Bill Walker MPP, and Hub story 2016