Province Approves New Secondary School and Licensed Child Care Spaces in St. Thomas-Elgin
The City of St. Thomas is welcoming a major provincial investment that will deliver new educational infrastructure and expanded licensed child care options for local families, supporting the city’s continued growth and long‑term prosperity.
As part of a province‑wide $1.6‑billion investment in school construction, the Government of Ontario has approved funding for a new St. Thomas Secondary School and a new Talbotville Elementary School, together creating more than 180 new licensed child care spaces in the St. Thomas–Elgin region.
The approved local projects include:
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$43.6 million for a new construction replacement for Arthur Voaden Secondary School in St. Thomas, for 703 students and 88 licensed child care spaces
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A joint-use elementary school site for the Thames Valley District School Board and the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, consisting of:
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$22.2 million for a new Talbotville Elementary School for 412 students and 49 licensed child care spaces
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$15.6 million for the new École élémentaire publique St. Thomas for 262 students with 49 licensed child care spaces
“These investments reflect the remarkable growth we are experiencing in St. Thomas and across our region, and that growth includes planning thoughtfully for education,” said Mayor Joe Preston. “The approval of the new St. Thomas Secondary School is a significant step forward that will support students and families for generations. We continue to work closely with the Board of Education to help ensure a bright future for our youth.”
Mayor Preston also emphasized the importance of child care infrastructure as a foundation for economic and social well being.
“Expanding access to licensed child care is essential for a city like St. Thomas,” he added. “The addition of more than 180 new child care spaces in St. Thomas and Talbotville will help families balance work and home life, support local employers, and advance the important work of St. Thomas Elgin Social Services in improving access to high quality child care across the region.”
The City of St. Thomas continues to work closely with local school boards, St. Thomas‑Elgin Social Services, and provincial partners to ensure that infrastructure planning keeps pace with population growth and community needs.
Read the announcement from Ontario's Ministry of Education
Read the announcement from the Thames Valley District School Board