STITTSVILLE – Last Thursday (July 23) the Ontario government announced two new schools will be built in Stittsville.

The Ontario government recently announced it is investing morethan $500 million to build 30 new schools and make upgrades to 15 existing facilities.

The province has given Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) approval for $14.9 million for Fernbank Elementary School, and $12.5M to build École Élementaire Publique Kanata Sud.

The investment will provide a new, quality learning environment for the students of Stittsville and Kanata as well as new childcare rooms. This project is part of the province’s capital investment program to support students with better learning spaces.

“These investments are great news for our community, I’ve heard from my constituents that there was a need in this area and I am pleased that our government is building two new schools and also adding to another,” Kanata-Carleton MPP Merrilee Fullerton said. “MPP Goldie Ghamari and I have worked hard for our residents and I know these investments will provide a quality learning environment and new opportunities for the children of Kanata and Stittsville.”

“The funding for this new public elementary school is great news for the residents of Stittsville,” said Carleton MPP Ghamari said. “MPP Fullerton and I have had several meetings with residents from both our ridings on the need to build new public elementary schools in the community. I’ve shared those concerns directly with the Minister of Education on numerous occasions. I’m thrilled that our government is building two new schools in Stittsville.”

“I also want to acknowledge the fact that, at this time, funding for a new Public High School in Riverside South was not approved at this stage,” Ghamari said. “I’ve spoken extensively with the minister about the need for a public high school in the area, and he is aware of the petition that I submitted directly to his office. I look forward to continuing to work with Riverside South residents as well as local school board trustees to ensure that the proposed Public High School in Riverside South becomes the new top capital priority for the OCDSB.”

Ontario’s investment in new and updated schools will create the foundation for a modern learning environment for hundreds of students across the province. This investment will also generate nearly 900 new licensed child care spaces.

“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,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said. “Our financing of the new Fernbank Elementary School and École Élementaire Publique Kanata Sud further demonstrates our government’s historic investment in Ontario’s schools and our overall commitment to supporting our students and families.”

The new Fernbank Elementary School will be located in Stittsville. Highlights of the new school construction include:

• 628 elementary student spaces;
• 39 new licensed child care spaces; and
• Two new childcare rooms.

The new École Élementaire Publique Kanata Sud will also be located in Stittsville. Highlights of the new school construction include:

• 425 elementary student spaces;
• 49 new licensed child care spaces; and
• Three new childcare rooms