Some exciting new plans to update Sacred Heart Catholic School in Port Lambton were presented to the Board of Trustees at the Tuesday, March 30, 2021 Regular Board Meeting.

In July 2020 the Ministry of Education announced $3,105,350 in funding for addition at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Port Lambton.  The project will include the removal of a port-a-pak, two new classrooms, new washrooms and an expansion of the child care centre, currently housed in the school.

Staff, students, parents/guardians and the child care provider were invited to participate in virtual design sessions, to provide input into the features that should be included as part of the project.  Dan Amicone of Architecttura Inc., the lead architect for the project, facilitated the sessions.

“These input sessions are a key part of the process,” says Deb Crawford, Director of Education.  “It is important that our stakeholders have a say in what they value as the plans for the design are developed.”

Some of the features that will be included are:

• Expanded childcare offering (infant, toddler and pre-schoolers);
• Dedicated parking lot and bus loading area;
• Spacious interior hallway for indoor activities;
• 3 dedicated outdoor childcare playground areas;
• Introduction of a commercial kitchen c/w industrial range hood to prepare healthy meals;
• All childcare classrooms will have large windows for natural light and dedicated washrooms in each space.

“We are excited to see this project begin to take shape,” says John Van Heck, Chair of the Board.  “We again want to express our thanks to the Ministry for providing the funding that will make it all possible.  This will be a tremendous benefit to the entire Port Lambton community.”

“The Government of Ontario is investing $13 billion over ten years to build new schools, improve existing educational facilities and expand child care,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “By updating Sacred Heart Catholic School, we are taking action to provide more child care spaces to support working families and updated classrooms that will benefit Port Lambton students in their learning.”

“I’m thrilled that the planning process for the updated Sacred Heart Catholic School in Port Lambton is moving ahead with so much community input,” said Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey.  “Our government is making significant investments in our school system to ensure that every student in Ontario has a bright future ahead.” 

Construction is expected to begin in August 2021 and be completed by December 2022.