Investment part of Ontario governments record funding to ensure student success
NEWS: June 17, 2026 – For Immediate Release
WASAGA BEACH, ON: As part of its plan to protect Ontario and prepare students for success in our workforce, the Ontario government has provided the Simcoe County District School Board with approval to issue the tender for the new Wasaga Beach Public Secondary School to create more student spaces.
“The new Wasaga Beach Public Secondary School will be a significant addition to the community and an important investment in local students and families,” said Brian Saunderson, MPP for Simcoe-Grey. “Approval to issue the tender marks another key milestone for this project and brings us one step closer to creating more than 1,100 new student spaces for families in Wasaga Beach. I look forward to seeing the project continue to move forward.”
Wasaga Beach Public Secondary School is supported by a total investment of $80.6 million, which includes additional funding of $21.3 million. When complete, the project will deliver 1,145 new secondary student spaces for local families.
“Our government is focused on supporting students, teachers and parents while ensuring school boards are equipping our students with the tools they need to succeed,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Education. “Once completed, these projects will offer an inspiring learning environment that helps students prepare for the jobs of tomorrow. Our government will continue to provide the resources students need for ultimate achievement.”
Through local infrastructure projects like the one in Wasaga Beach, the government is meeting urgent needs to address growth related to demographic changes. The investment is part of Ontario’s commitment to invest more than $22 billion over 10 years to support school construction, renewal and improvement.
“Building and renewing Ontario’s infrastructure is a key part of our government’s plan to protect the economy and keep workers on the job in the face of significant economic uncertainties,” said Todd McCarthy, Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “Through our $236 billion capital plan we are getting shovels in the ground faster to build new and improved schools, transit, hospitals and other critical infrastructure for communities across the province.”
QUOTES
“The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is very pleased with this major investment from the Ministry of Education, one of the largest on record, to build a new state-of-the-art secondary school in Wasaga Beach. Advancing to the tender stage marks an important next step in the process of bringing this new 1,100 pupil place secondary school to the community.”
~ Dawn Stephens, Chief Executive Officer for the SCDSB
“Today’s announcement marks another major milestone in expanding secondary school opportunities in Wasaga Beach. As one of Ontario’s fastest-growing communities, we need education infrastructure that keeps pace with growth and gives local families more options close to home. This new public secondary school will help build the educational capacity our community needs for the future. Council is pleased to see the project moving forward and thanks MPP Brian Saunderson and the Province of Ontario for their continued commitment to Wasaga Beach students and families.”
~ Brian Smith, Mayor, Wasaga Beach
Wasaga Beach Public Secondary School will be located at Sunnidale Road South and Sun Valley Avenue in Wasaga Beach.
QUICK FACTS
- Since 2018, Ontario has provided more than $7.6 billion for major capital projects, including 209 new schools and 161 permanent additions or renovations to existing school buildings, to create more than 150,000 new student spaces and more than 11,000 new licensed child care spaces in schools.
- For the 2025-26 school year, the province is providing $1.4 billion to school boards to renew and improve schools.
- The Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026 brings greater accountability, consistency and modernization to Ontario’s education system through new and enhanced measures to further support student success.