Robin MacLennan
Ontario Construction Report staff writer
Officials and children held a groundbreaking ceremony in July, to launch construction on a joint-use project between Grand Erie District School Board, City of Brantford and Brantford Public Library.
An elementary school, recreation centre and public library will be built on the site, along with a 24-acre park, sports fields, meeting spaces and walking paths.
“I am very excited that the new Southwest Community Centre and Park, including Brantford’s first regulation size Cricket Field, along with a much-needed day care centre, will greatly enhance quality of life for residents in the rapidly growing west end of the city,” said Kevin Davis, Mayor of Brantford. “I am grateful to our partners for their collaboration on this important joint initiative, that will ultimately provide essential spaces for residents to learn, connect, celebrate culture and stay active.”
Designed by Zas Architects, the new school will accommodate 650 students in 23 classrooms and four Kindergarten rooms, and includes a four-room, 64-space child-care centre within the 108,000-square-foot building.
Construction is expected to start in August and be completed in time for the September 2026 school year.
A new library branch will serve the school as well as the community at large, and includes 13,500 square feet with programming space, study rooms and an outdoor reading terrace and the project also includes:
- regulation-sized tournament cricket pitch
- fully serviced cricket field house and soccer field house with change rooms, washrooms and a concession stand
- five pickleball courts (two accessible courts)
- skate park
- disk golf facilities
- paved refrigerated multi-use court for all season use (basketball and skating)
- splash pad with shade structure
- fully serviced parks department maintenance facility and yard
- trail connection to the CN Rail Trail
“Breaking ground on a new school and community hub marks an exciting start to what will be a multi-faceted space to learn, grow and be inspired. Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Education and this partnership with the City of Brantford and the Brantford Public Library, we’re laying the foundation for a community asset that will serve generations to come,” said Susan Gibson, chair, Grand Erie District School Board.