Kitchener’s newest public school balancing classes and construction
Posted Sep 5, 2025 09:56:06 AM.
Last Updated Sep 8, 2025 12:19:56 PM.
With week one of the new school year wrapping up for students throughout Waterloo Region, Kitchener’s newest public school is continuing to balance classes and construction.
Work is still continuing at Willow River Public School, located in the city’s south end at 670 Thomas Slee Dr. It opened its doors, along with other schools throughout the region, on Wednesday, Sept. 3.
“I am incredibly honoured to be part of this journey as we opened Willow River,” said Principal of the school, Carol Coyle. “There is a very special energy that comes with creating a new school community from the ground up. It’s been a unique opportunity to build something meaningful together with our students, families, staff, and the wider community, and it has been a very exciting week welcoming students.”
Initially, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) said the school would be wrapped up by the start of the 2025-26 school year, but various delays, including weather, pushed back those initial deadlines.
“We still have construction happening, but we follow detailed health and safety plans,” Coyle stated. “All occupied areas of the school undergo rigorous inspections and must meet provincial health and safety requirements. Our learning space is completely separated from our construction areas, so they are completely sealed off from student access areas.”
Willow River is one of three schools kicking off their first year in Waterloo Region this year. The school will still be open in the midst of that construction, but Coyle said it has had to adapt to make that possible.
“We do have indoor spaces as well as three portables just to help impact the areas in the school, but we only have three portables,” she said. “As soon as permanent classrooms become available and are approved for occupancy, our students will be transitioning into those spaces in the school.”
WRDSB had previously said the school would be able to handle close to 600 students, ranging from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8, which it said would eventually be seen as the local community in the area begins to grow over the coming years.
While construction is expected to continue into the beginning of 2026, some of the areas being worked on are expected to be opened up at different times, all as they become available.
“For the remaining portion of the school, the library and gym areas, we do have a bit of a different timeline. For the gym space, we’re hoping to have it available in October. The library and upstairs spaces would be available end of December, beginning of January.”
Coyle said public consultations, particularly with the families who would be in attendance at the school to kick off the year, have taken place before the school launch.
She said that was in an effort, not only to inform the parents of what would be taking place, but also to better transition them and create a broader Willow River community as it launches into its first year of operation.
