A development notice is seen in front of Warnica Public School in Barrie, Ont., May 8, 2026. Photo-Julius Hern/Barrie360
The Ontario government has revealed a $29.9-million investment for a new Warnica Public School in Barrie, replacing the old elementary school.
This funding was announced on Friday by Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin at the current school site and is part of a larger provincial initiative worth $1.6 billion for school construction. The new facility will provide 665 student spaces for families in the expanding south-end area, nearly doubling the existing capacity at Warnica.
The new school will be built on the same site as the current one and aims to alleviate enrollment pressures while offering modern learning environments for students.
“As someone who grew up in Barrie, I’ve seen the growth. I know schools are the fabric,” Khanjin stated. “When we reflect on what we did in our communities, we often reflect on our school experiences.”
For two years now, this replacement project has been at the top of Simcoe County District School Board’s (SCDSB) list of capital priorities because the building desperately needs replacing.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin speaks during an announcement at Warnica Public School in Barrie, Ont., May 8, 2026. Photo-Julius Hern/Barrie360
Board representatives are optimistic that construction will kick off within one to two years after getting approval from the City of Barrie’s development application process.
“Many of our schools are facing increasing accommodation pressures and many of our buildings are aging,” said SCDSB chair Brandy Rafeek. “Investments like this are so important because they help ensure students have modern, welcoming learning environments that can continue to meet the needs of growing communities.”
The original school opened on Warnica Road back in 1964 and has since aged significantly while failing to meet current accessibility standards.
“There are a lot of issues with accessibility in this building that unless we rebuild, we really could not fix,” Dawn Stephens, SCDSB director of education, told Barrie360. It would cost us more trying to fix it and maintain it than it would be to seek funds for a rebuild.”
Childcare space isn’t included in initial plans for the new facility; however, Stephens mentioned that this announcement opens up opportunities for community partnerships regarding various aspects of the building.
Local families will likely focus on relieving pressure from the old school and upgrading to a newer facility designed for future growth.
Despite adding more student spaces, enrollment boundaries aren’t expected to change much due to its status as a French immersion institution.
Principal Sean Cappadocia says his main job has been advocating for his students with the board and he’s excited about moving forward with improvements.
“When you have a vision such as having new sound systems or projectors in your gym-you think about how long you’re going to be in this building,” he told Barrie360. “Now that there’s a plan underway, it brings comfort knowing where we’re headed.”
Warnica Public School principal Sean Cappadocia speaks during an announcement at the school in Barrie, Ont., May 8, 2026. Photo-Julius Hern/Barrie360
The Ontario government claims it’s making significant investments into school infrastructure all over the province this year alone by supporting 79 projects including new schools and upgrades. Collectively these efforts aim to add over 29,000 student spaces along with more than 1,900 licensed childcare spots.
This funding comes through Ontario’s Capital Priorities program which helps facilitate new constructions as well as renovations and property acquisitions.
The province intends to invest more than $22 billion over ten years toward improving educational facilities throughout Ontario.
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Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin speaks during an announcement at Warnica Public School in Barrie, Ont., May 8, 2026. Photo-Julius Hern/Barrie360
Board representatives are optimistic that construction will kick off within one to two years after getting approval from the City of Barrie’s development application process.
“Many of our schools are facing increasing accommodation pressures and many of our buildings are aging,” said SCDSB chair Brandy Rafeek. “Investments like this are so important because they help ensure students have modern, welcoming learning environments that can continue to meet the needs of growing communities.”
The original school opened on Warnica Road back in 1964 and has since aged significantly while failing to meet current accessibility standards.
“There are a lot of issues with accessibility in this building that unless we rebuild, we really could not fix,” Dawn Stephens, SCDSB director of education, told Barrie360. It would cost us more trying to fix it and maintain it than it would be to seek funds for a rebuild.”
Childcare space isn’t included in initial plans for the new facility; however, Stephens mentioned that this announcement opens up opportunities for community partnerships regarding various aspects of the building.
Local families will likely focus on relieving pressure from the old school and upgrading to a newer facility designed for future growth.
Despite adding more student spaces, enrollment boundaries aren’t expected to change much due to its status as a French immersion institution.
Principal Sean Cappadocia says his main job has been advocating for his students with the board and he’s excited about moving forward with improvements.
“When you have a vision such as having new sound systems or projectors in your gym-you think about how long you’re going to be in this building,” he told Barrie360. “Now that there’s a plan underway, it brings comfort knowing where we’re headed.”
Warnica Public School principal Sean Cappadocia speaks during an announcement at the school in Barrie, Ont., May 8, 2026. Photo-Julius Hern/Barrie360
The Ontario government claims it’s making significant investments into school infrastructure all over the province this year alone by supporting 79 projects including new schools and upgrades. Collectively these efforts aim to add over 29,000 student spaces along with more than 1,900 licensed childcare spots.
This funding comes through Ontario’s Capital Priorities program which helps facilitate new constructions as well as renovations and property acquisitions.
The province intends to invest more than $22 billion over ten years toward improving educational facilities throughout Ontario.
What do you think of this article?
Source link
