Ottawa getting five new elementary and secondary schools

Provincial government money has been earmarked for the construction of give new schools in Ottawa — two of which will be in Nepean — the Ontario government announced.

According to a press release sent out Wednesday evening from Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod, the government is giving $550 million in “accelerated funding” to build 20 new schools across the province, as well make upgrades to eight existing facilities. 

As part of its plan for a safe return to school, MacLeod says the government is supporting parents and students in Nepeans with new elementary schools in two boards. 

École élémentaire publique Barrhaven Sud (Conseil des écoles publiques de l’est de l’Ontario) and Barrhaven South Catholic Elementary School (Ottawa Catholic School Board) were both announced Wednesday and will be built by 2022. 

This will mean improved, quality learning environments and new child care rooms, MacLeod says. 

They are also part of the province’s 2020-2021 Capital Priorities Program to support students with better and more modern learning spaces. 

“I am proud of our government’s commitment to building and upgrading these schools across the National Capital Region, and especially right here in Nepean,” MacLeod said. “These investments will help support our growing community with better schools for better learning, and ensure that students across the province have modern learning environments.”

The provincial government is also generating nearly 900 new licensed child care spaces across the province, MacLeod adds. 

“This government firmly believes that your children deserve to learn in state of the art, modern, technologically connected and accessible schools,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “We will continue to take action, like the new ÉÉP Barrhaven Sud, to ensure students are safe today and well into the future by approving more new school buildings and permanent additions and increasing access to child care for working parents.”

The new schools will include:

• $137.2 million in Capital Priorities funding
• 1,901 new elementary student spaces
• 1,516 new secondary student spaces
• 205 new licensed child care spaces
• 11 child care rooms

The new ÉÉP Barrhaven Sud will be located in Ottawa at a location that has yet to be purchased. It will include 475 new elementary student spaces, 49 new licensed child care spaces and three child care rooms. 

The new Barrhaven South Catholic Elementary School will be located in Nepean at a site that is to be determined, and will include 507 new elementary student spaces, 39 new licensed childcare spaces and two childcare rooms. 

The new ÉÉC Avalon’s III will be situated in Ottawa at a site that’s to be acquired, and will have 412 new elementary student spaces, 39 new licensed childcare spaces and two child care rooms. 

The new Riverside South Secondary School will be located at the corner of Spratt Road and Earl Armstrong Road, and will include 1,156 new secondary student spaces, 39 new licensed child care spaces and two child care rooms. 

The new Fernbank Catholic Elementary School will be at the intersection of Iber Road and Hazeldean Road. It will include 507 new student spaces, 39 new licensed child care spaces and two childcare rooms.