New elementary school to be built in North Bay
The Ontario government is giving the Near North District School Board $20 million to build a new elementary school that will be used to consolidate three schools.
MPP Vic Fedeli made the announcement Wednesday morning that the province has approved the construction to replace the former W.J. Fricker Senior Public School. The new facility building will support the consolidation of two junior kindergarten to Grade 6 schools that are currently located less than five kilometres apart: ET Carmichael Public School on Chapais Street and EW Norman Public School on Lake Heights Road.
"The new school will also include new childcare rooms and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre," Fedeli said in a news release. "This project is part of the province’s capital investment program to support students with better learning spaces."
Building the new school has been a priority for the school board's trustees, chair Jay Aspin said. The new facility will be built at the site of the former W.J. Fricker school at 790 Norman Avenue which was closed at the end of the 2018-2019 school year. It will accommodate 308 students from junior kindergarten to Grade 6. It will also host four new childcare rooms, 73 new licensed childcare spaces, and a child and family centre.
"This is an important approval for our new Fricker school which will consolidate three schools and enhance elementary education in this section of North Bay. This school will ensure that more students in the city will experience the modern features of a contemporary elementary school," he said.
The funding comes from Ontario's Ministry of Education.
"We appreciate the Ministry of Education’s support of this capital project. We look forward to receiving bids and working with contractors and architects to get this project underway, in the best interest of our staff, families, and most importantly, our students,” said Craig Myles, director of education of Near North District School Board.
This funding is part of a $550 million allocation from the province for the building of new and renovation of existing schools in the 2021-2022 school year. Over the next 10 years, the province plans to spend $14 billion in capital grant projects for schools.
"From modernizing our curriculum to revitalizing our classrooms and their facilities, we are investing in our students and giving them every tool to achieve their full potential," said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. "Our construction of this new elementary school in North Bay further demonstrates our government’s historic investment in Ontario’s schools and our overall commitment to supporting our students and families."
Construction on the new North Bay school is expected to be completed by September 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
Bayer recalls hydraSense baby product over 'potential contamination'
Bayer announced Thursday it is recalling two lots of its hydraSense Baby Nasal Care Easydose due to a potential contamination.
N.L. gardening store revives 19th century seed-packing machine
Technology from the 19th century has been brought out of retirement at a Newfoundland gardening store, as staff look for all the help they can get to fill orders during a busy season.
Cat found on Toronto Pearson airport runway 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.