August 11
Update on the new Parry Sound JK-12 School
We are pleased to provide an update on the ongoing progress of the new Parry Sound JK-12 School.
Most importantly, we remain on schedule to welcome students to both the elementary and secondary schools on September 8. All interior learning and working spaces are nearing completion, with only minor finishing touches remaining. Students and staff will be welcomed into a safe, modern, first-class facility designed to serve our community for many years to come.
While significant progress has been made, construction on some exterior elements of the project, including portions of the parking area, athletic track, and playground, will continue throughout the school year.
Progress Update
The demolition of the old school will be completed shortly. Blasting is expected to be completed by the first day of school. Work on sidewalks, curbs, and asphalt will continue until the onset of winter weather.
The kindergarten classrooms are complete, with washrooms and cubbies fully installed.
The elementary library is nearing completion and will be ready for students to enjoy on the first day of school.
The elementary office is under construction and will be completed before students arrive. All childcare spaces are complete. Security cameras are being finalized in key areas throughout the school.
The base layer of the athletic track has been installed and will provide a safe surface for student use beginning in September. During construction, unforeseen issues with the storm drainage system were identified. Addressing these drainage concerns is essential to ensure water is properly managed beneath and around the track. Without these corrections, the track surface could shift, settle, or warp over time, significantly reducing its lifespan and increasing future maintenance requirements. To ensure the track is completed to the highest standard and remains a long-lasting asset for the community, the final rubberized running surface will be installed in Spring 2027.
The grass field located inside the track will be installed later this month. To allow the sod to establish properly, the area will be fenced off during the first few weeks of September before opening for student use.
The parking lot entrance off Joseph Street will be complete to start the school year, as well as the parking areas around the childcare centre and the main entrance (the “light bulb” area). Accessible parking spaces will also be available.
Demolition of the former school site revealed significantly more bedrock requiring blasting than originally anticipated, which has affected the timeline for completion of the parking areas located alongside Joseph Street and Isabella Street. The parking lots and roadways will be substantially complete by mid to late October (barring weather delays), with final work scheduled for Spring 2027. Temporary parking and roadways will be in place where possible to start the school year to facilitate traffic flow and parking until substantial completion.
Staff from the Nipissing-Parry Sound Student Transportation Services consortium have reviewed both the temporary bus loop that will be in place to begin the school year, and the long-term traffic plan to be implemented when all site works are complete. The parties continue to work together to ensure that all necessary safety measures will be in place to start the school year, and students, staff and families can expect additional information from the school administrators before the school year begins regarding parent drop-off and pick-up areas, staff and student parking, and planned traffic flow.
There will be an update on the elementary play area, including the play structure and hard-surface play areas, in the next week or two. The grassed portions of the play area are expected to be completed in Spring 2027.
Unfortunately, as construction has progressed, the project team has encountered unforeseen challenges related to site conditions, previous deficiencies, and natural impediments beyond our control. Despite these obstacles, crews have worked diligently to keep the project moving forward while ensuring that quality and safety remain the highest priorities.
While some exterior work will continue, we are proud that students and staff will begin the school year in a beautiful, bright environment that is safe, accessible, and built to a high standard. The additional time required for some elements of the project will help ensure the school and grounds are completed properly and will serve staff, students, families, and the broader community well for decades to come.
We sincerely appreciate your patience, understanding, and support throughout this process. We ask that you continue to bear with us as crews complete the remaining work over the coming months. We will continue to provide updates as information becomes available.
We look forward to welcoming students and staff and beginning an exciting new chapter for education in Parry Sound.
Sincerely,
Jay MacJanet
Chief Executive Officer
Rebecca Bell
Supervisor
