Middlesex County is getting two new elementary schools. Here’s where they will be located
Nearly 1,000 new student spaces are coming to southwestern Ontario with the construction of two new elementary schools, the province announced on Wednesday.
According to a news release, Minister of Education Stephen Lecce announced funding to construct two new schools in Middlesex County.
Speaking in Strathroy, Ont., the new schools will be built in Lucan-Biddulph and Komoka, creating a total of 955 new student spaces and 176 new licensed childcare spaces, and are being funded through the 2023-24 Capital Priorities Program.
“Our government is laser focused on building new state-of-the-art schools and child care for families in rapidly growing areas across the province,” said Lecce. “That is why I am proud to deliver two new elementary schools that will benefit young students as they learn in modern schools that get students back-to-basics with hands-on learning to be better prepared for the jobs of the future.”
During his stop in Strathroy, Lecce also hinted at an upcoming announcement for London.
"I'll be in the sort of the urban side of London in the coming weeks to announce a series of other announcements in schools to build," he said.
So what do we know about the new schools?
The new school in Lucan
The new elementary school in Lucan will be under the Thames Valley District School Board. At a cost of $25 million, including $3.5 million in child care funding, the new school will create 531 student spaces along with 88 licensed child care spaces.
It is unclear what the name of the new school in Lucan will be or when it will open its doors to students.
“This approval highlights the strength of collaboration between the Thames Valley District School Board and the ministry and is encouraging news for our communities where population continues to grow at a rapid rate. We look forward to the benefits this school will bring to the Lucan community, reflecting our commitment to providing quality education for all students,” TVDSB Chair Beth Mai said in a statement.
The new school in Komoka
The new school in Komoka will be built just west of London in the Kilworth-Komoka area on a site that is yet to be determined.
At a cost of $20.6 million, including $2.6 million in child care funding, will create 424 student spaces along with 88 licensed child care spaces.
“This is great news for the LDCSB,” said Vince Romeo, director of education. “Our schools in Delaware and the west end of London are bursting with students. This new school will relieve pressure on our existing schools and will also be able to accommodate new students moving into an area that is experiencing significant residential development."
— With files from CTV News London's Marek Sutherland
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP calls out Conservatives for effort to squash pharmacare legislation
The federal New Democrats are calling out Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and his party for trying to block the bill that could pave the way for millions of Canadians to access birth control and diabetes coverage.
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
A subset of Alzheimer's cases may be caused by two copies of a single gene, new research shows
For the first time, researchers have identified a genetic form of late-in-life Alzheimer’s disease — in people who inherit two copies of a worrisome gene.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.