Traffic safety concerns delay new Catholic school in Kitchener

The plans for a new Catholic school on the site of a former gravel pit in Kitchener have been delayed.

The school that Kitchener planning staff are proposing on Fairway Road accommodates 400 elementary students and 1000 high school students. It would be located on the land of a dormant gravel pit on the corner of Fairway and Woolner Trail.

According to Waterloo Catholic District School Board Planning Manager Jennifer Passy, the school would provide significant enrolment relief to St. Mary’s High School. Passy told council that St. Mary’s is meant to have about 1500 students, though over 2200 students are currently enrolled.

The project cannot move forward without councils approval of zoning by-law amendments, and many residents and councillors were not comfortable approving the current proposal. Several delegates appeared in front of council to voice their concerns.

“We agree that this school is both required and makes good use of undeveloped land,” said Kitchener resident Ron Geisler. “We are however concerned that building this major institution in this unique location is in direct contravention with the City of Kitchener official plan.”

“I live in a neighbourhood which I believe is not opposed, but rather supports the building of the school on this proposed site,” said resident Dave Foster. “The caveat was, and remains, that until such time as the safety issues raised here are properly reviewed and addressed, it is my request that the zoning change be deferred.”

Many other delegates shared concerns over congestion in the area, the roundabout at Fairway and Woolner, emissions from idling vehicles, and tree loss on the property. City staff have already proposed a 30 km/h speed limit in the school zone.

Ward 2 Councillor Dave Schnider also saw problems with staff’s proposal.

“You’re asking students to cross through that [Fairway and Woolner] roundabout with buses and cars. I just find that extremely dangerous.”

Passy claimed that plenty of other high schools in Kitchener are on busier roads, and the school board is “very cognizant of the need to have a safety enviroment around the school.”

Schnider replied that he’s not going to vote to approve the school until he has “assurances from the city and the region” that crossing Fairway and Woolner to get to the school will be safe for students.

“That’s paramount for me,” said Schnider. “I’m actually shocked that you’re saying this is routine, it’s comfortable for this sort of a crossing.”

The discussion around the new school is expected to pick back up at the December 11 Council meeting.

You can view Monday’s Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee agenda and watch the meeting here.