As part of Ontario’s ongoing efforts to build and improve local schools, the province provided the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board with approval to proceed to tender a new addition to St. Joseph’s High School that will include the building of a new St. Thomas the Apostle elementary school. This will be supported by an investment of $23.5 million, which includes additional funding of $9.8 million.
The new elementary school and high school addition will provide more student spaces in a new, quality learning environment for the growing student population in Renfrew and area, as well as affordable childcare spaces for local parents. The investment is part of the Ontario government’s commitment to provide $14 billion to support school construction over 10 years. Since 2018, the government has approved nearly 200 projects and there are currently more than 300 childcare and education building-related projects in development, with more than 100 actively under construction.
“The funding for St. Thomas the Apostle School and an addition to St. Joseph’s High School is great news for our community,” said John Yakabuski, MPP for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. “This investment will ensure families and students have access to a quality learning environment in the years ahead.”
“Our government is taking action to ensure young people can reach their full potential in the classroom that leads to good jobs,” said Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce. “By building a new St. Thomas the Apostle and an addition to St. Joseph’s High School our government is preparing Renfrew students for the jobs of tomorrow and providing safe and affordable high-quality childcare to working parents.”
Highlights of the project include:
• 434 student spaces
• 73 childcare spaces
• 6 secondary classrooms
• Expanded cafeteria and learning commons
• Four childcare rooms
• One EarlyON room
Bob Schreader, Chairperson for the RCCDSB, states: “We could not be happier with the recent approval from the Ministry. This new site is a much-needed investment and will be very beneficial for parents and students in the Renfrew and area community. We look forward to having these brand-new spaces to continue to engage in the pursuit of life-long learning in our faith-based community.”
“The opportunity for families and children to access quality licensed childcare, education and an EarlyON program at one location is so exciting to see,” said Judy Mulvihill, Manager of Child Care and Early Years Services for the County of Renfrew. “This project is just one step towards a larger vision of increasing access to early years services throughout Renfrew County to make Renfrew County the best place to raise a child. Partnerships such as this are vital to make this happen.”
St. Joseph’s High School is located at 835 First Street in Renfrew.
Quick Facts:
• The governments of Canada and Ontario are providing $656.5 million in funding for critical infrastructure projects to protect students and staff from COVID-19 in the province’s schools through the COVID-19 Resilience stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
