Official ribbon-cutting held for addition at St. Anthony’s School in Kincardine

The official ribbon-cutting was held Monday afternoon, to formally open the addition at St. Anthony’s School in Kincardine.

Students and staff were joined by numerous guests, including members of the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board, provincial and municipal officials, former staff and students, and staff of the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce which now operates out of the school.

The addition features eight new classrooms and four child-care rooms, as well as a new gymnasium that is twice the size of the old one.

Principal Samantha Pitre welcomed everyone and said this is a dream come true, to have a gym that can house the entire student body.

“You are truly blessed to be the very first group of learners to use these new spaces,” she said. “I remember talking about this addition back in 2018 when I was the new vice-principal of the school. Now, it’s here. Thank you to everyone who helped make this dream a reality.”

Huron-Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson said this $13-million investment in St. Anthony’s School demonstrates the provincial government’s commitment to providing the best learning environment for the youth in Ontario, especially in growing communities, such as Kincardine.

“This is a special day for all of you,” she said. “This is the result of a combination of vision and amazing leadership, as well as your ongoing faith and commitment to community. How wonderful for you to have this space during your time as students at St. Anthony’s.”

Bruce County warden Chris Peabody said that, as a former teacher, he was pleased to see a number of his former students working as teachers, educational assistants and early childhood educators at the school. “Thank you to everyone involved in this great project.”

Kincardine mayor Kenneth Craig said that during his tour of the school, he learned three important lessons:
 

• To build a new school addition takes a lot of planning
• You need a lot of patience because it takes a long time before you see the addition built
• You can get a whole lot of things done if you work together to do them

“This project has been a great success,” he said, “and it’s a great addition to the community.”

He then presented a framed business recognition certificate to Pitre which congratulates the school board for investing in the expansion of St. Anthony’s School in Kincardine.

“Your decision to expand the existing school and add more child-care spaces in the Municipality of Kincardine, is greatly appreciated and we wish you every success at this new location. Thank you for being a key community partner and investing in our future!”

Lori di Castri, chairperson of the board, recalled when the ground-breaking was done almost two years ago, and she told the crowd that everyone would be invited back for the ribbon-cutting.

“Well, this is it,” she said. “This has been a labour of love for so many. St. Anthony’s School is a hub of the community, and here we are with all our partners and supporters.

“This Grade 8 graduating class will be the first to use the new gym. Thank you, to all the staff and students for your patience and resilience during the construction.”

Cyndy Jefferson, director of child care for the YMCA, said the agency is thrilled to partner with the school board to provide quality licensed child care and school-age programs for children, from the age of 18 months to 12 years, at St. Anthony’s.

“Our new location allows us to expand our offerings, increasing the availability of child-care and school-age spaces, and reaffirming our dedication to fostering the potential of children and youth within our community,” she said.

Father Thomas Manninezhath gave a prayer and blessing, and the event concluded with the ribbon-cutting and refreshments.

Parents and community members were invited to tour the new facility at an open house later in the afternoon.

Highlights of the addition include:
 

• “Messy rooms” that connect Junior and Senior Kindergarten classes together and promote collaboration between classes
• The multi-use, innovative “collaborative space” where classes and clubs can meet for learning and presentations
• The double gym which allows the whole school community to gather at one time
• 190 new elementary student spaces
• 78 new child-care spaces in four child-care rooms
• New bus circle and new front offices
• Interior upgrades to the existing school