Ghamari Announces $10 Million Expansion For St. Philip Elementary School
Carleton MPP’s $117 million announcement also includes four new schools, including a Catholic high school and elementary school in Fernbank
It was a big day for families Friday, June 7 as Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari announced four new schools and a major school expansion for the Carleton riding.
Ghamari, who made education and building new schools her campaign priority in both the 2018 and 2022 provincial elections, has now secured funding for 14 major school projects in the Carleton riding since she was elected six years ago. The projects include 12 new schools and two major expansions and combine for a provincial investment into the riding of more than $344 million.
These projects are part of a $1.3 billion plan that more than doubles funding to build new schools and expansions, including child care spaces. The provincial government’s overall investment, which is the highest ever made in a single year, supports the creation of more than 27,000 new student spaces and more than 1,700 licensed child care spaces at schools across Ontario.
The new schools include a Catholic high school and a Catholic elementary school in Fernbank, a French Catholic high school in Riverside South, a French public elementary school in Leitrim, and an expansion at St. Philip Catholic Elementary School in Richmond.
“As our communities grow in the Carleton riding, so does our need for schools.” Ghamari said. “The new elementary school and high school announced for the Fernbank area will not only address the need for more classrooms in the rapidly growing Stittsville community, but it will also mean more students will avoid long bus rides as they will have a school closer to their homes. The addition at St. Philip Catholic Elementary School is also a welcomed project that will serve the growing village of Richmond.”
The major expansion is St. Philip is a $10 million project that will create 282 new student spaces.
The new Fernbank high school will be located at Cope Drive and Atlas Terrace in Stittsville. That $66.6 million project could alleviate some of the crowding issues at South Carleton High School, should students opt to switch from the public board to the Catholic board. The new high school will have 1,439 student spaces.
The Fernbank North Elementary School will be located at a site to be acquired. It will be a $20.5 million project that will create 507 student spaces along with 39 childcare spaces.
Ghamari also announced a fourth Ottawa project for the OCSB, which will be a Mer Bleue Catholic elementary school in Orleans. The $20.3 million project will create 507 student spaces and 39 childcare spaces.
“This funding is a significant investment in the future of our students and communities,” said Mark Mullan, Chair of the Ottawa Catholic School Board. “We are grateful to the Ministry and MPP Goldie Ghamari for their on-going commitment to Catholic education. Together, we’re not just building schools; we’re building brighter futures for our students. These projects address immediate needs while laying the foundation for brighter educational futures across our communities.”
The four Ottawa Catholic School Board projects announced by Ghamari represent a $117.4 million investment by the province. This will support the creation of 2,735 student spaces and 78 licensed child care spaces in Ottawa as part of the government’s commitment to building state-of-the-art learning spaces for Ontario students.
These projects are part of a $1.3 billion plan that more than doubles funding to build new schools and expansions, including child care spaces in Ontario.
“I’d like to extend our gratitude to the Ministry of Education and MPP Goldie Ghamari for their invaluable support of Catholic education,” D’Amico said. “Their commitment to our students’ growth and development is truly commendable. With this funding, we’re not just building schools but investing in our communities’ future. These projects reflect our dedication to providing modern, inclusive learning environments where every student can thrive.”
New high school for Riverside South
In addition to the three OCSB school projects, there are also two French language schools to be built in Carleton. One is a French Catholic high school in Riverside South, and the other is a French public elementary school in Fernbank.
The new French Catholic high school is a $40.8 million investment with the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est. The school will be for Grades 7-12 and it will be located at Borbridge Avenue and Brian Good Avenue in Ottawa, creating 826 student spaces.
While the zoning for the school has not yet been finalized, it is expected that students from Manotick, Osgoode and Greely will eventually attend the school. Those students in the French Catholic board currently attend Pierre-Savard in Barrhaven, which has a student population much higher than their capacity.
“We are extremely pleased with the news of this investment! Thanks to the Ministry of Education’s support, we will be able to offer a brand-new French-language Catholic high school in the dynamic Riverside South neighbourhood,” said Johanne Lacombe, President of the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est. “This school will not only provide an exceptional learning environment for our youth to thrive, but also a place where our culture and language can flourish”.
The French public elementary school in Leitrim is a $14.7 million investment with the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario. The school will be located at Kelly Farm Drive and Barrett Farm Drive in Ottawa, creating 354 new student spaces and 49 child care spaces.
“The CEPEO has given itself the vision of being a creator of accessible and equitable opportunities,” said Samia Ouled Ali, Chair of Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario, and Christian-Charle Bouchard, Director of Education, Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario. “To achieve this, we must build modern facilities that meet the needs of our growing communities. We welcome this funding announcement and wish to thank the Government of Ontario for recognizing Ottawa’s fast-growing communities and the importance of improving access to French public education.”
The timelines for construction of the schools will be determined by the various school boards.
Featured Image: Carleton MPP Goldie Ghamari announces funding approval from the Ontario Government for four new schools in the Carleton riding, as well as a major expansion at St. Philip Catholic Elementary School in Richmond.
