Wasaga Beach to get first-ever high school

Construction work is underway on Wasaga Beach’s first ever high school, located next to the town's arena and library.

Construction work is underway on Wasaga Beach’s first ever high school.

Located on 15 acres next to the town’s new arena and library, the school will offer Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

“Wasaga Beach is the largest community in the province currently without a high school,” says Shawn Cooper, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board trustee.

Right now, the average high school student in town spends 97 hours a year on the bus getting to and from school. The board says the new build will give students more time in the classroom and at events and less time travelling.

“I’m really excited to go this school just because I have a feeling that it’s just going to be the best school ever,” says Aurora Mighton, a Grade 6 student.

Funding for the project comes from the province and Town. A community hub will be part of the new building thanks to a significant land donation from Far Sight Homes. The school will also have a 300 seat community theatre.

“This new K-12 school will create space for 1,008 students along with 49 licenced child care spaces that will support local families from the earliest years,” says Wasaga Beach Mayor Brian Smith.

Government and school board officials say the location of the school is key to its success.

“It is incumbent on the province, the school boards to prioritize a project like this and move forward. Families deserve this, students deserve this,” says Cooper.

And this is one of two new high schools planned for the town. On Wednesday, the province announced a separate $80-million project to build a new public high school in Wasaga Beach.

The total cost to build Wasaga Beach’s first high school is just over $70 million. Once open, it will be home to more than 1,000 students.