The provincial government has announced nearly $7 million in additional funding for the new elementary school in Beaverton.

The funding was announced at Beaverton Public School Tuesday (Feb. 7) morning by area MPP Laurie Scott and Education Minister Stephen Lecce.

The project will see Beaverton P.S. and Thorah Central amalgamated. The new building will include 418 elementary spaces, 49 child care spaces and a one-room EarlyON Child and Family Centre for local families.

“The new and expanded funding for Beaverton Thorah Public School is great news for our community,” said Scott said.

“This investment shows our government recognizes the need for students and families to have access to quality learning and school environment in years to come by expanding in our rural communities.”

“Our government is investing $14 billion over ten years to build new schools, improve existing facilities and create child care spaces to ensure young people can reach their full potential,” Lecce added.

“By building the new state-of-the-art Beaverton Thorah Public School at 270 King St. West in Beaverton, as well as investing in tutoring and mental health supports for the year ahead, we are getting students in Beaverton back on track now and well into the future. While we make progress building this new Beaverton Thorah Public School to support hard-working parents, we remain committed to keeping students in more normal classrooms with extra curriculars, sports, and clubs.”

The total cost of the new school is pegged at $22.9 million.

“The new Beaverton Thorah Public School will offer added opportunities for educational programming and extracurricular activities in a modern state of the art building with affordable childcare spaces for young families in the community,” said Carolyn Morton, the area trustee for the Durham District School Board.

“We are excited to see this important project move forward and are appreciative of the Government of Ontario’s lasting investment into Beaverton and Brock Township.”