Province to fund construction of addition at Toronto school
The Ontario government has committed $11 million in funding to construct an addition to York Memorial Collegiate Institute in Toronto.
The school building, which is located at 2690 Eglinton Avenue West, was badly damaged by fire three years ago.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Infrastructure Minister and Etobicoke Centre MPP Kinga Surma announced the funding on January 31. The money will add 368 spaces at the school, bringing its total capacity to 1,300.
“The York Memorial Collegiate Institute has served families for generations and we are determined to rebuild this school for the community after the devastating fire,” said Lecce. “This investment will deliver a modern school that is fully accessible, digitally connected, with state-of-the-art ventilation, that will ensure students are inspired to learn, discover and create."
The project scope of work will include the addition as well as upgrades and improvements. The government is footing the bill for the addition; the renovations will be funded by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB).
“The TDSB is grateful to receive $11 million from the provincial government to help rebuild York Memorial Collegiate Institute,” said board trustee Chris Tonks. “These funds will create 1,300 secondary student spaces and allow our students to experience the benefits of a neighbourhood school that supports their diverse needs and access a broad range of course offerings to enhance their engagement and academic success.”
The project is part of a provincewide investment of more than $600 million to support new school and child-care spaces that were recently announced by the province.
The federal and provincial governments have also allocated more than $600 million to support ventilation improvements in schools across Ontario as part of their plans for a safer return to school.
The TDSB has collected $65.8 million for ventilation improvements and has more than 15,800 HEPA filter units in place.