The school, called North Woodstock Elementary School, will have space for a total of 660 students. There will also be five childcare rooms providing 88 daycare spots. The province will be providing $17.6 million for the project.
In a statement, Mark Fisher, Thames Valley District School Board Director of Education, hailed the new announcement:
“This is a major milestone for the community, and we are very excited to support Woodstock with a much-needed 660 pupil place elementary school and licensed childcare facility We are pleased that the province is committed to supporting our students and the rapidly growing needs of our municipal partners.”
The Woodstock announcement is part of a provincial investment of over $600 million to increase school capacity throughout Ontario. The plan, which also includes new school openings and expansions in communities such as Hamilton and Stoney Creek, is projected to create 1,500 childcare spots and 19,700 student spaces across the province. Provincial and municipal governments typically use tools like brochure printing and public forums to communicate with parents and other community members about what the new programs will mean for them.
North Woodstock Elementary School was announced earlier this month. The next stage of development will involve purchasing land in the North Woodstock area and building the school, which the board expects will take 42-48 months.