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Ontario approves tender process for new secondary school in Simcoe County

June 24, 2026   ·   0 Comments

The Ontario government has provided the Simcoe County District School Board with approval to issue a tender for a new public secondary school in Wasaga Beach.

The project is supported by a total provincial investment of $80.6 million, after a recent increase of $21.3 million in funding. The school is expected to provide 1,145 secondary student spaces.

“The new Wasaga Beach Public Secondary School will be a significant addition to the community and an important investment in local students and families,” said Simcoe-Grey MPP Brian Saunderson. “Approval to issue the tender marks another key milestone for this project and brings us one step closer to creating more than 1,100 new student spaces for families in Wasaga Beach. I look forward to seeing the project continue to move forward.”

The new school will be located at the intersection of Sunnidale Road South and Sun Valley Avenue.

Ontario’s Education Minister Paul Calandra said the school is intended to accommodate enrolment growth in the area.

“Our government is focused on supporting students, teachers and parents while ensuring school boards are equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Calandra. “Once completed, these projects will offer an inspiring learning environment that helps students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Our government will continue to provide the resources students need for ultimate achievement.”

The province said the investment is part of its long-term funding plan for school construction, renewal and improvement projects across Ontario.

Acting Infrastructure Minister Todd McCarthy said the project is part of the province’s broader capital infrastructure plan, which includes investments in schools, transit and hospitals.

“Building and renewing Ontario’s infrastructure is a key part of our government’s plan to protect the economy and keep workers on the job in the face of significant economic uncertainties,” said McCarthy. “Through our $236 billion capital plan we are getting shovels in the ground faster to build new and improved schools, transit, hospitals and other critical infrastructure for communities across the province.”

The province says it has provided more than $7.6 billion for major school capital projects since 2018, including funding for new schools, additions and renovations. For the 2025-26 school year, Ontario has allocated $1.4 billion to school boards for school renewal and improvement projects.

“The Simcoe County District School Board is very pleased with this major investment from the Ministry of Education, one of the largest on record, to build a new state-of-the-art secondary school in Wasaga Beach. Advancing to the tender stage marks an important next step in the process of bringing this new 1,100 pupil place secondary school to the community,” said Dawn Stephens, CEO of the SCDSB.

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