Expansions Planned For Local Public Schools

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The Greater Essex County District School Board is moving ahead with two major construction projects after funding was approved this week.

$11.5 million has been granted to build an addition to Tecumseh Vista Academy. This expansion will add 400 student spaces to the high school wing.  Tecumseh Vista is the Board’s only kindergarten to grade 12 school.

The board says that once the design phase is complete, approval from the  Board of Trustees and the Ministry of Education will be required. The project should be tendered in late 2014 with construction planned to begin in the Spring of 2015. The expectation is for the project to be complete for the 2016-17 school year.

Renovations for Westview Freedom Academy, the current Century Secondary School site will begin this Spring. The Ministry has granted the Board the ability to use up to $2.5 million from its capital reserve for this project.

The Board has also received approval of its plan to build an addition to Belle River Public School, with planned completion of the $3.75 million project for September 2014.

In addition, work is underway at a number of schools for additions to accommodate the final phase of Full Day Kindergarten and more will be starting shortly. All of them should be ready for the start of the new school year.

The Board also plans on investing in improvements to the Riverside Secondary School athletic facilities. The sports field will be rebuilt and a new six lane track installed. Work will begin soon on that project. The school’s pool will be closed permanently at the end of this year.

West Gate Public School, on Campbell Avenue is on schedule for completion this summer and despite losing 30 days to weather this winter, phase 1 of the new Essex District High School project should be ready on time for September 2014. Phase 2, the demolition of the old building, will be this summer. The entire project is scheduled to be complete by September 2016.