The McNaughton Avenue, W. site of the north Chatham Catholic elementary school will be bustling with activity in the weeks and months ahead, as construction begins on Chatham-Kent’s newest school.
The Board of Trustees for St. Clair Catholic approved the low bid tender at a special meeting on Wednesday.
“We are celebrating this giant step forward in the process to build a new Catholic school in Chatham,” stated Deb Crawford, Director of Education.
“It is an exciting time in our history for students, families, staff and our parish partners as we move forward with our vision for the future of Catholic education in Chatham.”
Working with its municipal partners, St. Clair Catholic staff, the project architect and ministry advisors, the Board was able to close a funding gap that emerged late in the process, due to changing market conditions.
On Wednesday, the Board of Trustees has committed $993,913 from Board surplus funds to the project.
In addition, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent will contribute $259,881 in funding towards a community room and shared meeting space.
“From the beginning of the Pupil Accommodation Review process, our commitment to our families has been that we would work with them to rebuild Catholic education in Chatham, with modern schools designed for a modern age,” stated John Van Heck, Chair of the Board.
“With our announcement tonight, the Board is keeping that promise thanks to help from our provincial and municipal partners, who have worked with us to make this dream a reality. I also wish to thank Chatham-Kent Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls for his great assistance in moving this process forward.”
The contract has been awarded to Norlon Builders Limited of London, Ontario.
Construction is expected to begin later this month.
The original timeline called for the school to be ready for students and staff in September 2019; however, that opening date is no longer possible.
A revised date for the official opening will be scheduled once construction gets underway.
Total cost of the project is $16,082,973.
In the meantime, the Board continues to work with community partners to secure a location for the south Chatham Catholic elementary school.
