Ottawa's Catholic school board is receiving $29.4 million from the province to convert the former Century Public School and expand St. Patrick's High School, projects expected to create more than 700 new student spaces in the city's growing south end.

The funding will pay for a renovation and retrofit of the former Century Public School at 8 Redpine Drive, along with a new addition and retrofit at St. Patrick's High School at 2525 Alta Vista Drive. When complete, the projects will deliver 432 new elementary student spaces and 276 new secondary student spaces, according to an announcement from the office of Carleton MPP George Darouze.

Both schools fall under the Ottawa Catholic School Board. The province said the investments are aimed at giving students modern learning environments and preparing them for in-demand careers.

“The funding for the renovation and retrofit of the former Century Public School and construction of a new addition and retrofit at St. Patrick's High School in Ottawa is great news for our community,” said George Darouze, MPP for Carleton. “Through these investments, we're creating opportunities for students to thrive well into the future.”

Part of a larger provincial build

The local money is drawn from a much larger commitment. Ontario is putting $1.6 billion into 79 school construction projects across the province this year through its Capital Priorities program, an investment expected to create more than 29,000 new student spaces and over 1,900 licensed child care spaces.

The program funds new school builds, permanent additions, renovations and school purchases. The province has also committed more than $22 billion over 10 years toward school construction, renewal and improvements.

The announcement ties the projects to the Putting Student Achievement First Act, which the government said strengthens oversight and accountability in school construction.

“Student success starts with having the right environment to learn,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “We're building the schools students need, and we're making sure they get built quickly and on schedule. With stronger oversight and accountability through the Putting Student Achievement First Act, we are ensuring projects are delivered on time and focused on students, so that parents can be confident their children have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Infrastructure spending

The school funding is also part of what the government describes as a historic capital plan. Todd McCarthy, the Acting Minister of Infrastructure, said the province is investing $236 billion in critical infrastructure, including new and improved schools, to support students, local jobs and growing communities.

The two Ottawa projects sit in areas that have seen sustained population growth in recent years, and the additional spaces are aimed at relieving pressure on existing schools in the greenbelt and across the city.

No completion timelines for the local projects were included in the announcement.