The St. Catholic District School Board has set its sights on a new high school to replace Ursuline College Chatham.
As part of its long-term capital plan, the board has created a business case and is seeking capital funding from the province to build a new school.
With an estimated price tag of more than $71 million, it’s an ambitious ask and marks the fifth time the English Catholic board has petitioned the government for funding.
Earlier submissions made in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023 were turned down.
Current enrolment at UCC is 1,297 students, with an on-the-ground capacity of 1,781. According to enrolment projections, the board expects numbers to climb over the next 19 years to 1,512 pupils, still below school capacity.
The bid to replace the school is part of the board’s long-term capital plan which provides a framework for decision making by outlining key activities occurring over the course of the school year.
Amy Janssens, associate director corporate service and treasurer, said the long-range plan is “an essential roadmap for ensuring that our school facilities remain safe, sustainable, and capable of supporting the needs of our students and staff.”
Ursuline College can be maintained rather than build a new school.
My children went to Tecumseh high school from grade 9 to 12 but were then told the school would be closed because it is too expensive to keep up . My children then had to go to CCI for grade thirteen.
Lo and behold a year or two later Tecumseh became a public school and was fine to have children back in the building.
Spending tax dollars when it is not needed is something that the Catholic school board needs to look at seriously.
Just because you want new, does not mean that it is better.
I go to ucc and personaly i think they should lave the school alone becusse they just put the new gym in And what will they do with the studants that go there. I think they are dumb for doing this