NEWS                                               May 29, 2009

Ontario is giving kids better places to learn by improving publicly funded schools. Students in London and surrounding area will benefit from funding for new school accommodations and improvements.

As part of a $500 million province wide investment, the government is providing funds to address the accommodation needs for local students.

Thames Valley District School Board will receive:

• $7 million to build new school accommodations at Glendale High School in Tillsonburg
• $10.1 million to build a new elementary school in London.
• $1 million to build a new addition at Northridge Public School in London

London District Catholic School Board will receive:

·$27 million to build a new Catholic secondary school in London.

Ontario is investing in a variety of ways to improve schools and make schools better places to learn. Projects include building new schools, expanding existing school facilities and reconfiguring school space to reduce energy costs. This also creates economic benefits, such as work for local companies and helps to support a stronger, greener economy.

QUOTES

“Building and improving school facilities creates jobs and safe and engaging places for our students to reach their full potential. This kind of significant education investment will go a long way to support local students for generations to come,” said Chris Bentley, MPP London West.

"The Thames Valley District School Board is very pleased to be hosting this major announcement", says Bill Tucker, Director of Education for the Thames Valley District School Board. "This investment of over $18 million dollars will give our students better places to learn and thrive, and make our communities stronger."

"This significant investment in school facilities will support the mission of the London District Catholic School Board to provide quality Catholic education. It will create environments that engage students in learning and achievement. It is not only an investment in facilities, but an investment in the future generations of Ontario," said Wilma de Rond Director of Education London District Catholic School Board.

QUICK FACTS

In April 2009, Ontario announced a $550 million investment to help over 1000 schools become more energy efficient, creating and sustaining over 5,500 jobs.

Since 2003, the McGuinty government has invested $4.8 billion through the Good Places to Learn program. So far, almost 12,000 school renewal projects, which include replacing roofs, windows and boilers, are completed or underway in schools across the province.

LEARN MORE

Read the government’s vision for education.

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