LISTOWEL – Plans have been announced by the province to expand Listowel Eastdale Public School.
Last Wednesday, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece announced the school would receive $4.3 million to build an additional 98 new student spaces and 49 new childcare spaces.
Pettapiece also announced $1.1 million for Milverton Public School to build an additional 39 new childcare spaces.
“Children and families will benefit from these projects,” said Pettapiece. “They will go a long way to address the need for modern school spaces and more affordable childcare spaces in rural areas like ours. I want to thank the Avon Maitland District School Board and the City of Stratford Children’s Services Division for successfully making the case. I am very pleased the government responded.”
Lisa Walsh, director of education for the Avon Maitland District School Board, expressed the board’s excitement on receiving this funding.
“Both projects support our joint goal of expanding childcare and elementary school spaces in the Perth East and North Perth communities. Once complete, these spaces will help to better serve the families of Perth East and North Perth,” said Walsh.
North Perth Mayor Todd Kasenberg told the Banner the municipality is “delighted” with the announcement.
“Our continuing growth includes many young families, developing future need. Pandemic realities have clouded the childcare picture, but we expect continuing strong demand in our community and stabilization of numbers as pandemic circumstances change,” said Kasenberg. “We are awaiting further insight from the City of Stratford, which as Consolidated Service Manager in Perth County, is expected to administer the funds on behalf of the province.
“Discussions are expected to commence in near-future about next steps and the municipality’s role.”
“I understand the staff and the administration are very excited about the provincial announcement from MPP Pettapiece regarding the new addition planned for Listowel Eastdale Elementary School. I think that’s crucial… I think it’s important,” added Coun. Allan Rothwell during North Perth’s meeting on Jan. 24.
Next steps
Cheri Carter, superintendent of corporate services for the Avon Maitland District School Board, said the next step in the project is to do the planning and receive approvals from the ministry.
“Before we go out to tender, we go back to the Ministry of Education to get approval to proceed. It’s called ATP (approval to proceed) with a project and that’s when it’s more technical – some costs associated, more detailed floor plans,” she said. “Before we can go out to tender we have to have that hurdle crossed and then we go out to tender, and that takes a little bit of time and then we have board approval and the construction would start as soon as possible after that.”
Carter said she is unsure how long it will take to get ministry approval to proceed. Now that the funding is in place, work will continue on the planning phase of the project.
“Now that we know we can get back to our architect’s office to get working on more detailed plans and then we’ll be submitting to the Ministry of Education as soon as possible. Sometimes the ATP process can take a little while,” said Carter.
“Obviously we’re going to work as fast as we can because the need is so great in that community, but I can’t commit to when we would even be able to start construction. There are quite a few hurdles to get through yet but the big one is there – the money.”
Carter also touched on the projects at both Milverton and Eastdale being a joint proposal with Stratford Children’s Services.
“Honestly, the government wouldn’t give us money if there wasn’t a need. They are pretty adamant you have to show evidence of a big need for a while before they will give you the funds so I would assume that Stratford Children’s Services is in the same position we are so it’s good news for all of us,” she said.
The Eastdale and Milverton projects are part of a provincewide investment of more than $600 million to support new school and child care spaces. A total of 78 projects will receive funding, and the province anticipated more than 19,700 new student spaces and 1,500 child care spaces.
