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New spatial concept: Owen Sounds Catholic School takes a decisive step!
Public meeting on rezoning for a new Catholic high school in Owen Sound on June 23, 2025. Details here!
New spatial concept: Owen Sounds Catholic School takes a decisive step!
The city of Owen Sound plans to build a new Catholic high school on the eastern edge of the city. This move is necessary to replace the overcrowded St. Mary's High School, which will reach a capacity of 1,000 students in the 2023-24 school year despite originally being built for only 672 students. As Owensound Sun Times reports, the new 1,012-student school will also receive state funding totaling $36.097 million.
The public meeting to consider the Bruce Gray Catholic District School Board's zoning application will be June 23 at City Hall. The corresponding land area of 7.53 hectares, long classified as “rural”, must be converted to “institutional” to enable construction. It was already purchased last year and is located along 28th Avenue East, south of 16th Street East, but is still subject to certain conditions required for the purchase.
Overcrowding of the existing school
St. Mary’s High School is expected to reach 149% overcrowding this school year, which could worsen in the coming years: 174% in five years and 185% in 10 years. Therefore, the construction of the new school is not only desirable but necessary. The new facility will cover a total area of 12,077 square meters and offer various modern facilities. Plans include, among other things, a small car shop in the south as well as sports fields in the west, parking spaces and an area for future mobile classrooms.
As part of the construction process, a multi-stage plan was developed, which according to BGCDSB includes six phases, starting with financing for construction and securing the required land, and ending with the ceremonial Opening of the new school.
Public engagement
The upcoming rezoning meeting, taking place at 5:30 p.m. in the council chambers, will be an important forum for the community to express opinions and suggestions. Written comments may be submitted by 4:30 p.m. the same day. This public engagement is critical to securing the interest and support of local residents. The entire project aims to meet the educational needs of the growing community and ease the strain on existing school resources.