September is often a time of change.
Perhaps nowhere else is this more evident than at school. With class back in session, parents, students and teachers may have noticed some alterations — both minor and significant in nature — at their local educational facility.
Here’s a look at three of the more prominent Innisfil-based projects that made big strides over the summer:
St. André Bessette Catholic School opens
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board’s new two-storey Lefroy elementary school welcomed students for the first time on Tuesday. Located southeast of the Killarney Beach Road and 20th Sideroad intersection, the project tendered at $19.5 million and is set to accommodate 493 students and a three-room child-care centre.
“It is officially open — there is work continuing around the school and of course there are finishing touches happening inside as well,” Catholic board communications manager Pauline Stevenson said. “We were excited to welcome all the students and staff.”
This 5.5-acre property will take in students and staff from Holy Cross and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic schools, alleviating accommodation pressures in these rapidly growing communities.
Nantyr Shores Secondary School field reconstruction
The field rejuvenation work at Nantyr Shores is one of several similar multi-year projects undertaken by the Simcoe County District School Board.
In fact, its tender, awarded to Enviroturf in early May, also included the reconstruction of the field at Barrie’s Innisdale Secondary School as part of its scope.
“School fields are rotated through this project cycle,” public board communications manager Sarah Kekewich said. “Last year, for example, the fields at Eastview Secondary School and Bear Creek Secondary School were rejuvenated.”
Work at Nantyr Shores will address the playing field condition through the replacement of its turf within the running track area. In addition, there have been enhancements to the irrigation system that will allow for greater water regulation, which is better for the grass and the environment.
The end zone goal posts have been replaced, too.
While the turf is now laid, it’s far from ready for action. Field testing will occur early in the spring to determine suitability and preparedness for use during that season.
Lake Simcoe Public School addition
The entirety of the work is not yet complete, and you can still see construction vehicles, fencing and mounds of dirt around the tarmac of the school.
But students have now started to occupy some of the expansion. Once it is fully complete, the project will include 190 new elementary student spaces, 39 new licensed child-care spots and two child-care rooms.
"The addition of 190 new elementary student spaces at Lake Simcoe PS, resulting in a 602 pupil place school, is complete and students have occupied the classrooms," Kekewich said. "Work is still underway on the two new child-care rooms and some site work is also ongoing."
This project was estimated to cost about $5.4 million when it was announced by Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin in October 2020.
“These are not just investments in bricks and mortar; our government is investing in the future of our children by creating a better learning environment,” she said at the time. “We are providing students with access to modern classroom settings and the latest technology which will lead to new opportunities and lifelong success.”
The Webster Boulevard school opened in September 2016, but the expansion is deemed necessary to accommodate anticipated population growth in the area.
— With files from Jessica Owen
