Westminster PS Welcomes Education Minister and MPP for Formal Opening of School Expansion

Brockville – The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) was excited to celebrate the expansion of Westminster Public School with a grand opening of the gymnasium addition at the school.

Minister of Education Stephen Lecce, Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark and UCDSB Director of Education Ron Ferguson were alongside Westminster students and staff today for a formal ribbon cutting to celebrate the new space.

This was a multi-phase project that included an 8,654 square foot addition for a new gymnasium, the reconfiguration of the front entrance and office space, addition of two new child care rooms, retrofit of some existing classrooms and ventilation upgrades that include air conditioning. Construction of this phase started August 2022 and was substantially completed November 2023.

“We are determined to build schools and expansions faster, part of our commitment to modernize schools in fast growing communities,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “We are proud to deliver a critical new addition to Westminster Public School, including a new gymnasium and child care spaces for Brockville families, along with increasing funding, staffing and a back-to-basics focus on reading, writing and math skills to help ensure students graduate with confidence that they can succeed in good-paying careers.”

This overall project is a $10.6 million investment, with $5 million previously invested for major projects such as new Kindergarten classrooms to accommodate full-day Kindergarten, a chair lift to the second floor of the building, and new exterior enhancements such as a new front entrance canopy, replacement of roofing, windows, mechanical, electrical, bus lane and asphalt replacement creating a new and larger parking lot.

“I’m pleased to join Minister Lecce to celebrate Westminster Public School’s upgrade and state-of-the-art gymnasium,” said MPP Clark. “These significant upgrades to the school will ensure students and staff have the necessary space to work and play, benefitting their overall experience.”

Westminster PS has approximately 350 students, learning in both English and French. This new indoor space has created increased opportunities for students to have physical activity woven into their day and more accommodating space for assemblies, ceremonies and other school activities.

“We are pleased to be able to provide students and staff with this modernized facility. Having welcoming and inspiring spaces where students and staff can work, learn and play is important. Thank you to both Minister Lecce and MPP Clark for their support throughout this project,” said Director Ferguson.