News

$20 Million for New School in North Bay

Province Approves Construction of Replacement School for W.J. Fricker Senior Public School

NIPISSING – MPP Vic Fedeli is pleased to announce that the province has given Near North District School Board approval to tender a new replacement school for the former W. J. Fricker Senior Public School to support the consolidation with ET Carmichael Public School and EW Norman Public School. The $20 million investment will provide a new, quality learning environment for the students of North Bay. The new school will also include new childcare rooms and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre. This project is part of the province’s capital investment program to support students with better learning spaces.

“The construction of this new school is great news for our community,” said MPP Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “This investment will provide a quality learning environment and new opportunities for the children of North Bay.”

“This is an important approval for our new Fricker school which will consolidate three schools and enhance elementary education in this section of North Bay. This school will ensure that more students in the city will experience the modern features of a contemporary elementary school,” said Jay Aspin, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Near North District School Board. “This school build has been a priority of our board since elected and we have worked diligently to make it happen.”

“We appreciate the Ministry of Education’s support of this capital project. We look forward to receiving bids and working with contractors and architects to get this project underway, in the best interest of our staff, families and most importantly, our students,” said Craig Myles, Director of Education of Near North District School Board.

“From modernizing our curriculum to revitalizing our classrooms and their facilities, we are investing in our students and giving them every tool to achieve their full potential,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “Our construction of this new elementary school in North Bay further demonstrates our government’s historic investment in Ontario’s schools and our overall commitment to supporting our students and families.”

Ontario’s investment in new and updated schools will create the foundation for a modern learning environment for hundreds of students across the province.

Highlights of the new school construction include:

• 308 student spaces for students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6
• 73 new licensed childcare spaces.
• Four new childcare rooms.
• An EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

The W.J. Fricker Replacement School will be located on the existing site, 790 Norman Ave, North Bay, Ontario.

Quick Facts:

• The Ontario Government is working with school board partners to invest in capital projects that advance safe and accessible learning opportunities for students.
• To create new opportunities for Ontario’s families, the government is investing up to $1 billion to create up to 30,000 new childcare spaces in schools over five years.
• Over the next ten years, the Ontario government is investing about $14 billion in capital grants, including allocating $550 million in 2020-21 for new schools, additions and major renovations.
• This massive investment will build new schools and help existing schools after a decade of closures and maintenance backlog.
• Ontario is also providing school boards with a historic $1.4 billion in funding to renew and maintain existing schools.
• This funding could be used to replace aging heating or air conditioning systems, repair roofs and windows, and install important accessibility features like elevators and ramps.