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Provincial government announces $42.5 million for replacement high school

January 27, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The Ontario government has announced it will be investing $42.5 million to build a new replacement Banting Memorial High School in Alliston.

The announcement was made from the office of Stephen Leece, Minister of Education, on January 24.

The money will also fund a two-room child care centre renovation at Tecumseth Beeton Elementary School in Beeton.

Once complete, the new high school will have room for 1,288 secondary school students. It will also have one infant, one toddler, and one preschool room for a total of 49 licensed spaces.

The child care centre renovation in Beeton will provide one toddler and one pre-school room for a total of 39 spaces.

The Simcoe County District School Board projects at Banting and Beeton are part of a province-wide investment of more than $600 million to support student and child care spaces that were recently announced by Minister Lecce.

This overall investment will support 78 school and child care related projects in the province.

“By building and improving schools right across Ontario, we are providing students with modern, accessible and digitally connected schools with enhanced ventilation,” said Minister Lecce. “For Simcoe County students, our investment will address an urgent need to replace an aging school by investing in this rural community after years of neglect under the previous government. In addition, I am proud to announce that this modern school will include a new child care centre – key to supporting working families and our economic success.”

The School Board designated Banting as a “priority” school in 2018, due to aging infrastructure.

The school was built in 1949. 

“Today’s announcement of the new Banting Memorial replacement school and the renovation of a two-room child-care centre at Tecumseth Beeton Elementary School is not just a much-needed update to an older school and a renovation to an existing one, but an investment in our community and our student’s futures that will enrich their lives and prepare them for a successful life beyond school,” said New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Milne. “Investments such as this play an important role in the quality of life for our residents.”

A site for the new school has not yet been determined. The current site has not been considered for a rebuild.

Previous suggested locations include G.A. Wright Athletic Field on Parsons Road and the Banting Homestead property located on Sir Frederick Banting Road.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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