SCDSB board planning to build three new schools in Bradford

CTV Barrie: New schools planned for Bradford The SCDSB is planning to build three new schools in Bradford to meet the town's future growth. Mike Arsalides reports.

With growth booming in Bradford West Gwillimbury the town has become a priority for the public school board.

The Simcoe County District School Board plans to build two new elementary schools and one new high school in the town.

“When people hear about subdivisions going in that’s one of the things real estate agents say, where are the schools?” said John Dance, SCDSB superintendent of facility services.

The towns populations is expected to double to 50,000 over the next 15 years. The mayor says the new schools can’t come soon enough.

“We have schools with up to 18 portables right now, so there is the need and the parents realize that,” said mayor Rob Keffer.

The big question is where will the new schools be built. The board has voted to make new pieces of land a priority.

The next step will be to settle on specific locations which will mean working with the town and the Ministry of Education.

“We like to do as much forward planning as we can with the ministry,” said Dance.

The three new schools is estimated to cost $50 million.

The board hopes to have the schools opened within eight years.