A major investment in Niagara schools is on the way, with the Ontario government announcing $78.1 million for a new elementary school in Fort Erie and additions to three existing schools across the region.
The funding is part of a broader $1.6 billion provincial investment supporting 79 school construction projects across Ontario. According to the province, the projects are expected to create more than 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed child care spaces province-wide.
In Niagara, the funding will support projects in Fort Erie, Pelham and Port Colborne through the District School Board of Niagara. Once completed, the projects are expected to add 897 new elementary spaces, 506 secondary spaces and 108 licensed child care spaces.
Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff made the announcement Friday at District School Board of Niagara’s Glynn A. Green Public School in Fonthill alongside local officials, school board representatives and students.
“This critical investment of $78.1 million in new and expanded schools in Niagara is welcome news for parents and families across our region,” Oosterhoff said in a statement.
The largest project announced is a new South-Central Fort Erie Elementary School, which will be built on a site still to be acquired in Fort Erie. The project carries a price tag of $26.4 million and will include 513 elementary student spaces along with 49 licensed child care spaces.
Three existing schools will also receive additions:
- Oakwood Public School in Port Colborne will receive a $17.2 million expansion creating 199 new elementary spaces and 49 child care spaces.
- Glynn A. Green Public School in Fonthill will receive a $14.6 million addition adding 185 elementary spaces and 10 child care spaces.
- Greater Fort Erie Secondary School will receive a $19.9 million expansion creating 506 new secondary student spaces.
Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra said the province is focused on ensuring schools are built quickly and efficiently as communities continue to grow.
“Student success starts with having the right environment to learn,” Calandra said.
The province says the projects are being funded through Ontario’s Capital Priorities Program, which supports new schools, additions, renovations and school purchases. The government says it plans to invest more than $22 billion over the next decade into school construction, renewal and improvements across Ontario.
District School Board of Niagara Director of Education Kelly Pisek called the announcement “exciting news” for students and families in the region.
Local municipal leaders also welcomed the funding, pointing to continued residential growth across Niagara communities, particularly in Fort Erie and Pelham.
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