BRANTFORD — Will Bouma, MPP for Brant-Brantford, announced a $16.2 million investment towards the construction of a new elementary school on Shellard Lane in southwest Brantford.
“These are not just investments in bricks and mortar, our government is investing in the future of our children by creating a better learning environment,” said Bouma. “By building this new school, we are providing students with access to modern classroom settings and the latest technology, which will lead to new opportunities and lifelong success.”
The new Grand Erie elementary school will welcome 650 new students as well as 64 new child care spaces.
“Shellard Lane is an area where we’re seeing extensive growth, with new families joining our board daily,” said Board Chair Greg Anderson. “We’re delighted our new school will be the centrepiece of this fantastic community investment.”
The new school, which will be built near the corner of Shellard Lane and McGuiness Drive, will be a joint project with the City of Brantford and will feature a new public library and community centre.
“I am thrilled that the province is supporting the city of Brantford with an investment of over $16 million to build a new school with an adjoining Library and Community Centre in the southwest,” said Brantford Mayor Kevin Davis. “As one of the fastest growing areas in the city, this is such welcome news, and also consistent with a new approach that the City is developing to bring services closer to communities through our network of Community Centres. On behalf of a grateful community, I want to thank MPP Will Bouma for his advocacy on our community’s behalf and the province for their continued support.”
Grand Erie currently has two elementary schools in southwest Brantford – Ryerson Heights and Walter Gretzky – both of which are overcapacity.
A timeline for the design and construction of the new school will be developed by Grand Erie and the City of Brantford over the next few months.
Funding for the school is part of a $550-million announcement Education Minister Stephen Lecce made earlier this week. In total, 20 new schools, creating 16,000 student learning spaces, and 870 licensed child care spaces will be added across the province.
