At Lambton Kent District School Board (LKDSB), we are making significant investments in our infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing community and evolving educational landscape. These projects, aimed at expanding capacity and modernizing facilities, will ensure students across our district have access to high-quality learning environments.
Key Priorities:
- Expanding schools and creating new spaces to meet rising enrolment demands.
- Investing in adaptable, future-focused schools.
- Supporting families by providing essential services like childcare in high-demand areas.
Key Expansion Projects:
- Errol Village Public School - Expansion Project
The Ontario Ministry of Education has committed $6.1 million to expand Errol Village Public School in Camlachie. This expansion will add two classrooms, increasing capacity by 46 students, and create a new three-room childcare facility, adding 49 licensed daycare spaces.
This project, supported by Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, addresses the rising demand for both student spaces and childcare services. The expansion will provide critical support for young families, offering more flexibility and access to early childhood education in the community.
- Grand Bend Public School - Permanent Addition
To accommodate the surge in Grand Bend's population, driven by ongoing residential development, LKDSB is proposing an expansion to Grand Bend Public School. The addition of 92 new pupil spaces will help address current volume issues, with the school already operating at 111% capacity and projections showing a rise to 137% by 2034.
The area's growth has resulted in a significant increase in school-aged children. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of elementary-aged children in the region grew by 21.1%. This expansion will ensure that Grand Bend Public School continues to provide a high-quality, spacious educational environment for students as the community grows.
- Plympton-Wyoming Public School - Expansion Project
A proposed 69-pupil place addition at Plympton-Wyoming Public School is vital to support the area's growing student population. The school is currently at 108% capacity, with projections showing it could reach 133% by the 2034-35 school year.
The expansion will ensure that the school can accommodate growth, providing a high-quality education in a suitable, well-equipped environment. Other schools in the area, including Errol Village Public School, are also facing capacity challenges, highlighting the urgent need for this expansion.
Both the Grand Bend Public School Addition and the Plympton-Wyoming Public School Expansion are contingent on the board receiving capital priority funding from the Ministry of Education. The board has submitted an application for capital priority funding to the Ministry of Education during the current application window and look forward to hearing from the Ministry on the success of these respective applications.
A Vision for the Future
These projects reflect LKDSB's commitment to ensuring our schools are equipped to meet both current and future needs. By carefully monitoring population trends and enrolment data, LKDSB is working to create modern, comfortable learning environments for students across the district.
"Each of these projects is guided by a focus on equity and accessibility, ensuring that every student has access to the resources they need to thrive," said LKDSB Associate Director Brian McKay. "We are committed to making sure our schools can provide the high-quality, inclusive education that every student deserves."
These efforts will help shape the future of education in the region, ensuring schools remain adaptable and ready to support the community's growth for years to come.
