Official ground breaking for new south Kitchener public school

The Waterloo Region District School Board (WRSDB) celebrated breaking ground on new elementary school on the southern edge of Kitchener’s Doon neighbourhood.

Once completed, the new facility at 670 Thomas Slee Drive will be home to around 600 students from junior kindergarten to grade 8. A new child-care centre is also included in the plans.

Speaking at the ceremony, WRDSB Director, jeewan chanicka said the architects took extra care to ensure the new school design was inclusive but also had a focus on the environment.

“This site will feature elements of the environment all the way through its constructions. Including things like shading canopies, winter gardens, urban forest areas, gardening patches and a feeling for students while they’re on the inside that they are also outside.”

Design firm Walter Fedy and smoke architecture, an all female, Anishinaabeg owned and operated firm were tasked with the design.

Work is already underway with portions of the foundation in place. chanicka said that’s to ensure the building will be ready to welcome students in September, 2025.

He also promised there will be an extensive consultation process for choosing a new name for the school in the coming months.