“Today is about action, partnership, and results for Wasaga Beach families,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Council knew our kids deserved access to high school here at home, and we took a different approach to help make that happen. By working directly with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board and the Province of Ontario, we helped advance a smarter, more practical proposal that gets shovels in the ground and doors open sooner. This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when municipal, provincial, education, and private-sector partners work together to put students and families first.”
The project reflects a proactive, made-in-Wasaga Beach approach led by Town Council in partnership with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Rather than waiting for a traditional school project to move forward on its own, the Town and school board advanced a practical proposal that uses existing municipal infrastructure beside the Wasaga Stars Arena and Wasaga Beach Public Library.
That approach helped secure provincial funding for the Town’s first high school faster. For local students and families, this project means less time travelling out of town by bus, more time in the classroom, and more opportunities to take part in sports, arts, clubs, and extracurricular activities in their own community. The new campus will give local students the chance to learn, compete, and build school life in their own community
The high school has been designed as a K-12 school. It will provide 1,008 student spaces, 49 licensed childcare spaces, a 300-seat community theatre, track-and-field facilities, shared learning spaces, and opportunities for post-secondary and continuing education through partnerships with Canadore College and Lakehead University.
The project is supported by a total investment of $70.1 million, including $67.3 million in provincial funding and a $2.8 million contribution from the Town of Wasaga Beach for theatre enhancements that will expand opportunities for students and residents. The School and Community Hub was also made possible through a significant land donation from Far Sight Homes.
It is one of the most significant education and community infrastructure projects underway in Ontario.
“This project is about making the smartest possible use of public infrastructure,” said Andrew Mc Neill, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Wasaga Beach. “By integrating the school with existing municipal facilities and shared community amenities, we are maximizing value for taxpayers, reducing duplication, and ensuring public spaces are used to their fullest potential. It is a creative, forward-looking model for how fast-growing communities can deliver essential services sooner.”
“This project reimagines what a school can be,” said Kimberly Dixon, Director of Education at Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. “Together with the Town of Wasaga Beach; we have created a model that integrates education; childcare; recreation; culture; & lifelong learning into a single community hub. This innovative partnership will benefit students & families in Wasaga Beach & can serve as a blueprint for how growing communities across Ontario approach future school development.”
Construction is now underway; with the school & community hub expected to welcome its first students & community users in September 2028.
Project timeline
In 2023; recognizing years of unheeded past advocacy; Council directed Town staff to work with local school boards on new ways to bring a high school to Wasaga Beach & attract provincial investment faster. Working closely with Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board & local home developer Far Sight Homes; the Town helped identify potential locations; explore development opportunities; & support creating practical proposals that could move forward quickly. In 2023; Mayor Brian Smith & senior Town staff attended Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Conference where they met Parliamentary Assistant to Ontario’s Minister of Education seeking support & feedback on Town’s high school proposal. In 2024; Mayor Brian Smith & senior Town staff joined representatives from Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board & Far Sight Homes at Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference where they met Ontario’s Minister of Education demonstrating that Wasaga Beach was ready to move forward with strong community-focused proposal. On May 2nd 2024 Ontario’s Minister of Education came to Wasaga Beach announcing provincial funding for Town & school board’s proposal. Today that proposal moves from approval into action as construction begins on high school & community hub serving Wasaga Beach students families residents generations ahead.
Quick facts
The new K-12 Catholic School Community Hub is supported by total investment $70.1 million including $67.3 million provincial funding $2.8 million contribution from Town Of Wasaga beach theater enhancements expanding opportunities students residents The School Community Hub was also made possible through significant land donation from Far Sight Homes. The project will provide 1 ,008 student spaces /49 licensed childcare spaces. Shared Community amenities include:300 seat theater track-and-field facilities childcare space shared-use learning environments Campus located486 River Road West beside Wasagastars Arena/Wasagabeach Public Library The Townofwasagabeachhaspartnershipagreementswith Canadorecollege&lakeheaduniversityto support postsecondary continuingeducationopportunitieswithin facility Wasagabeachiscurrentlythe largest municipalityin Ontariowithout anoperatinghighschoolandoneofthe fastestgrowingcommunitiesintheprovince Secondhighschoolalsoonwayforwasagabeachin January2025 followingdecadesofadvocacy Provincealsowillannounceover$59.3millionfor Simcoe County District School Boardhighschoolcreating1 ,145additionalsecondarystudentspacesandfurtherexpandinglocalaccesstohighschooleducationinwasagabeach
Additional quotes
“This groundbreaking marks beginning exciting new chapterstudentsfamiliesinwasagabeachacrosstheregion Our government proudsupportthisinnovativeproject whichwillcreatemodernlearningspaces expandaccesstochildcareprovideimportantcommunityamenities Thisinvestmentreflectsourcommitmenttobuildingschoolsand infrastructurethatontariosgrowingcommunitiesneed.”
– Brian Saunderson MPPfor Simcoe-Grey p>
“Thedreamofahighschoolinwasagabeachhasbeendiscussedformanyyears today weseethatdreambecomingreality Thisschoolwillprovidelocalstudentswitheducationalopportunitiesclosetohomewhilestrengtheningconnectionsbetweeneducationandcommunitylife Iamincrediblyproudofpartnershipsthathelpedbringustothismoment.”
– Shawn Cooper Trustee Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board p >
“Thisnew School Community Hubdemonstrateswhatpossiblewhenpartnerscometogetherdeliverforourcommunity Far Sightproudtobepartofthiscommunity ourlanddonationreflectsourlongtermcommitmenttowasagafamiliesfuturegenerations.”- Bob Schickedanz Partner Far Sight Homes p >
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Sandra WattsGeneral Manager External Relations|Director Communications Destination Marketing&Intergovernmental AffairsEmail Sandra p >
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Pauline StevensonManager Communications Strategic InitiativesEmail Pauline p >
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