Posted on June 26, 2026
Construction has officially started on the first high school and community center in Wasaga Beach.
Last week, officials from the Town of Wasaga Beach, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Province of Ontario, and local partners came together to mark the groundbreaking for the new campus at 486 River Road West.
“Today is about action, partnership, and results for Wasaga Beach families,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Council recognized that our kids needed a high school right here at home, and we chose a different path to help make that a reality. By collaborating with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board and the Province of Ontario, we pushed forward a more effective proposal that gets shovels in the ground and opens doors faster. This project shows what can be accomplished when municipal, provincial, educational, and private-sector partners unite to prioritize students and families.”
The town emphasizes that this initiative reflects a proactive approach crafted by Town Council alongside the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Instead of waiting for a typical school project to progress on its own, both the town and school board proposed a practical plan utilizing existing municipal infrastructure next to the Wasaga Stars Arena and Wasaga Beach Public Library.
This strategy helped secure provincial funding for the town’s first high school more quickly.
The high school is designed as a K-12 institution. It will offer 1,008 student spaces, 49 licensed childcare spots, a community theater with 300 seats, track-and-field facilities, shared learning areas, as well as opportunities for post-secondary education through partnerships with Canadore College and Lakehead University.
The overall investment in this project totals $70.1 million. This includes $67.3 million in provincial funding along with a $2.8 million contribution from the Town of Wasaga Beach aimed at enhancing theater options for students and residents alike. The School and Community Hub also benefited from a substantial land donation by Far Sight Homes.
<p"This project is about making smart use of public resources," stated Andrew Mc Neill, Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Wasaga Beach. "By integrating the school with current municipal facilities and shared community amenities, we’re maximizing value for taxpayers while minimizing redundancy-ensuring public spaces are utilized effectively. It’s an innovative model showing how fast-growing communities can provide essential services sooner."
Construction is now in progress; the school and community hub are set to welcome their first students and community users in September 2028.
Wasaga Beach currently stands as Ontario’s largest municipality without an operating high school while being one of the province’s fastest-growing communities.
A second high school is also planned for Wasaga Beach. In January 2025-after years of advocacy-the province announced over $59.3 million allocated to build another high school under Simcoe County District School Board which will create an additional 1,145 secondary student spaces further improving local access to high school education in Wasaga Beach.
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