AVON MAITLAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Stratford Intermediate School Renovations Near Completion

Stratford Intermediate School (Stratford Intermediate) officially welcomed students and staff in September 2020. Plans were underway for celebrations to honour the Stratford Central and Northwestern legacies and the opening of the Stratford Intermediate space. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has made in-person celebrations impossible so plans continue for Spring 2021 in an online format. In the meantime, the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) wanted to celebrate the opening of the Stratford Intermediate building, acknowledge the funders that enabled the project, and allow the media (and public) to see some of the improvements.

 AMDSB Director of Education Dr. Lisa Walsh said: "We are pleased to finalize the renovations of our Stratford Intermediate School. The improvements are enabling a safe and accessible space for our students and staff to learn and thrive. We appreciate the many contributions throughout this project and thank the community, parents and students for their involvement as we reorganized our City of Stratford 7 to 12 schools." Stratford Trustee Herb Klassen added: "The Board would like to thank all of those involved in finalizing this project on time for students and staff to attend Stratford Intermediate and Stratford District Secondary Schools in September. We plan to honour the legacies of Stratford Central and Northwestern, and we are looking ahead to a new beginning with these new school communities."

 The project involved extensive capital enhancements following the investment of just under $12.3 M. This was made possible due to the funding provided by the Ontario Government and the Ministry of Education, with $5.9 M Capital Priorities Funding provided specifically for this project and $7.16 M School Condition Improvement and School Renewal Capital Grants allocated to this project by AMDSB.

 Randy Pettapiece, MPP Perth-Wellington said: "Students and teachers will benefit from the province's investments in safe and modern facilities. I want to congratulate AMDSB and everyone involved in this project for their outstanding work."

 "The Government of Ontario is listening to hard-working Stratford families and delivering safe and accessible state-of-the-art classrooms that will prepare their children for lifelong success," said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. "We believe students deserve modern learning environments, which is why your government is investing $13 billion over ten years to build new schools and improve existing school facilities, supported by an immediate $700 million for upgrades this year to further protect schools from COVID-19."

Since September 2020 students and staff have been enjoying the improvements to the original building which include:

• Demolition of the 1958 wing and new construction of an 8 classroom addition including washrooms, mechanical room, and administration space.
• Extensive construction to create a ground level entrance, the installation of an elevator and the creation of accessible parking, walkways, and driveway improvements.
• Renovations in corridors of the original 1926 and 1972 wings, significant hazardous materials abatement, lighting and life safety systems and IT network improvements.
• Ceiling and flooring finishes, painting and partial re-roofing of the 1972 addition.
• Window replacements in classrooms and work rooms on the second and third floors.
• Replacement of the existing sloped metal roof including insulation.
• Minor renovations on the first floor to accommodate the Centre for Employment and Learning in a manner that separates the CEL from the day school population.

As the last pieces of the addition and front entranceway are completed, the school is making plans to move into the new addition, new administration offices and beginning to utilize the elevator that will make the building fully accessible.

Full press release and photos