The Upper Grand District School Board has identified its preferred location for a proposed new high school in the south end.
If and when the province agrees to fund the new high school, the board wants it to go at 388 Arkell Rd., an 18.5-acre piece of farmland on the northwest corner of the Arkell Road/Victoria Road South intersection.
A public meeting on a planning application for an official plan amendment and a zoning bylaw amendment necessary to clear the way for institutional use on the property takes place at City Council’s planning meeting on Nov. 13.
The board wants to put a three-storey secondary school that would hold roughly 1,200 students. Acces to the property would be from both Victoria Road and Arkell road.
There would also be a track and playing field.
A part of the property zoned significant natural area is not part of the development.
The property is currently zoned for agricultural use. The school board wants the property zoned educational, spiritual and other services.
The UGDSB has made an application to the province for the new school – the fourth consecutive year it has done so.
The board says there are already 600 students within walking distance of the location, students who are currently bussed to Centennial or John F. Ross high schools.
Earlier this year a board spokesperson said Centennial is already roughly 350 students over capacity.
The board expects to hear back from the province by late this year or early next year.
The province maintains a three-year work plan for capital projects, so if it were approved the new school would fall in that window.
