Some approvals were granted by Owen Sound council for a new Catholic high school being built in the city’s east end.
Council unanimously approved staff recommendations at its meeting Monday to grant a conditional building permit and authorize a capital cost recovery agreement for a three-storey secondary school proposed by the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) on an 18.5-acre property off 28th Avenue East, south of 16th Street East.
Some site work has already begun. The school board received site plan approval from the city last month.
The 108,000 square-foot high school will also include a shop building, two athletic fields, parking areas and space for up to eight future portables. A number of sidewalks and trail connections are also planned.
The school will be accessed by a new road — 15th Street East — which will connect to 28th Avenue East.
Once built, the new Catholic secondary school in Owen Sound will replace St. Mary’s High School.
The Catholic board is aiming to open the new Grades 9 to 12 school by September 2028.
“The BGCDSB is anxious to tender both the building construction and off-site works toward a planned occupancy in the fall of 2028,” Owen Sound’s Director of Community Services Pam Coulter says in a report to council.
The Ontario government has committed more than $36-million for the new Catholic high school in Owen Sound.
City councillors were told during Monday’s meeting the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board will cover the up front cost of extending municipal services to the high school. About 11 properties have been identified for future cost recovery related to the service extension, which will be collected by the city and remitted to the school board when those properties are redeveloped.