WELLAND
Niagara Catholic District School Board receives additional funding to build new catholic elementary school in Beamsville

Camillo Cipriano, Director of Education of the Niagara Catholic District School Board, is pleased to announce that the board has received the additional funding needed to begin planning for the new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School in Beamsville.

"Beamsville is one of the most sought-after communities in Niagara, and there are many new homes and neighbourhoods there, and in the surrounding area," said Director Cipriano. "New developments, coupled with growing enrolment across Niagara Catholic, has made it very clear that a new Catholic elementary school is necessary in Beamsville. I am very proud of our teams in Facilities Services and Business and Financial Services for their hard work in submitting the request for additional funding to the Ministry. And I am extremely grateful to the Minister of Education for appreciating the urgency of this request. I know our 421 future St. Luke students, as well as staff and families, look forward to construction beginning as soon as possible."

Niagara Catholic acquired the land for a new Catholic elementary school on Greenlane Road in Beamsville in mid-2021. The Ministry awarded $10.1 million in provincial funding for the new school in late 2021. Recognizing the importance of early learning and the urgent need for childcare in the growing community, the board submitted a supplemental request to the Ministry for $2 million, to include a three-room childcare centre in the new Catholic elementary school. That funding, for 49 infant, toddler, and preschool childcare spaces, was approved in early 2023.

During the design stage, the board identified a significant gap between the projected cost for construction and provincial funding. In early 2025, the board submitted a new request for funding to the Ministry. In July, the Ministry approved Niagara Catholic's revised cost estimate request, granting $24.4 million in total funding.

The new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School will address overcrowding at neighbouring Catholic elementary schools and will accommodate future growth in the community. It will be constructed with 21st century learning in mind and will include state-of-the-art technology to support modern learners. The integrated childcare centre will provide crucial support for working families and support early learning. As a hub for community use, it will offer space for local events and activities, supporting the municipality and community organizations, strengthening social bonds and fostering community well-being.

Board Chair Danny Di Lorenzo also expressed his thanks to Niagara Catholic's senior administration and the Ministry of Education.

"I am very pleased that our Superintendent of Business and Financial Services, along with the very skilled team in Facilities Services, put forward a compelling request to the Ministry of Education for the additional funding for the new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School," said Chair Di Lorenzo. "I also extend my thanks to Niagara Catholic's entire senior leadership team, who never lost sight of the importance of lobbying for a new Catholic elementary school in Beamsville. On behalf of the entire Niagara Catholic Board of Trustees, I thank everyone involved in this application process for their commitment and diligence. I also thank the Ministry for recognizing the need for a new Catholic elementary school in Beamsville. I look forward to celebrating the groundbreaking for the new St. Luke Catholic Elementary School, and the official blessing and opening."

The Minister of Education noted how the new school will benefit the community.

"Our government is focused on supporting students, teachers, and parents while ensuring school boards are equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed," said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. "Once completed, the new St. Luke Catholic School will provide a modernized space where students can build the skills needed for the jobs of tomorrow, while also providing much-needed childcare spaces for working parents. We will continue to invest in the resources students need to reach their full potential."