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
Cisco reveals security breach, warns of state-sponsored spy campaign
State-sponsored actors targeted security devices used by governments around the world, according to technology firm Cisco Systems, which said the network devices are coveted intrusion points by spies.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
opinion RFK Jr.'s presidential candidacy and its potential threat to Biden and Trump
Although it's still unclear how much damage Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s candidacy can do to either Joe Biden or Donald Trump this election, Washington political columnist Eric Ham says what is clear is both sides recognize the potential threat.
Haida elder suing Catholic Church and priest, hopes for 'healing and reconciliation'
The lawyer for a residential school survivor leading a proposed class-action defamation lawsuit against the Catholic Church over residential schools says the court action is a last resort.
First court appearance for boy and girl charged in death of Halifax 16-year-old
A girl and a boy, both 14 years old, made their first appearance today in a Halifax courtroom, where they each face a second-degree murder charge in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old high school student.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
It's 30 years since apartheid ended. South Africa's celebrations are set against growing discontent
South Africa marked 30 years since the end of apartheid and the birth of its democracy with a ceremony in the capital Saturday that included a 21-gun salute and the waving of the nation's multicolored flag.