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Some of the youngest residents of Brantford’s West Brant community sunk shovels into the ground to officially kick off construction on a joint-use project between Grand Erie District School Board, the City of Brantford and the Brantford Public Library at a site which will include an elementary school, recreation centre, public library and other amenities to serve the growing community. The space will also include a 24-acre park, sports fields, meeting spaces and walking paths.
“I am very excited that the new Southwest Community Centre and Park, including Brantford’s first regulation size Cricket Field, along with a much-needed day care centre, will greatly enhance quality of life for residents in the rapidly growing west end of the city. I am grateful to our partners for their collaboration on this important joint initiative, that will ultimately provide essential spaces for residents to learn, connect, celebrate culture and stay active,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor of Brantford.
The project represents a total investment of $67,079,386, with more than $33 million provided through Capital Priorities, Child Care Capital and Land Priorities funding through the Ministry of Education.
“Breaking ground on a new school and community hub marks an exciting start to what will be a multi-faceted space to learn, grow and be inspired. Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Education and this partnership with the City of Brantford and the Brantford Public Library, we’re laying the foundation for a community asset that will serve generations to come,” said Susan Gibson, chair, Grand Erie District School Board.
The new school will accommodate 650 students in 23 classrooms and four Kindergarten rooms, and includes a four-room, 64-space child-care centre within the 108,000-square-foot building. The school is expected to open its doors in September 2026, and will alleviate population pressures on neighbouring Edith Monture, Agnes G. Hodge and Walter Gretzky elementary schools.
The new library branch will serve the school as well as the community at large, and includes 13,500 square feet with programming space, study rooms and an outdoor reading terrace. Construction begins next month.
“The expansion of library services into West Brant is a long-standing goal of the Library Board. Convenient access to the library means more opportunities for literacy and learning activities, discovery, and connecting, for residents of all ages,” Marion McGeein, Chair, Brantford Public Library. |
