The UGDSB wants sustainability to be part of its new high school, but wonders what that might cost.
Sustainability could be implemented into the new school at the corner of Arkell Road and Victoria Road if the board can afford it, trustees heard earlier this week.
Discussions over the approval of the official plan and zoning bylaw amendments for a new school commenced at the UGDSB business operations committee meeting on Tuesday.
“I know we started our plans a long time ago with our new strategic plan, are we planning on making any changes to our original plans?” asked Jen Edwards, UGDSB trustee. She asked if there would be changes made to include sustainability in the school building plans.
Staff will be looking for opportunities in the site plan, the next step of the process for the new school, to include sustainability practices. It is dependent on funding, technology and options, said Glen Regier, executive superintendent of business operations and support services at UGDSB.
This is the first high school built in Guelph by the UGDSB since 1967.
“It is vitally important that we consider the high school as a means of demonstrating the Upper Grand’s commitment to future generations,” said Mark Bailey, UGDSB trustee. “That we’re putting our money where our mouth is,” he said.
Bailey reiterated he knows funding is tight but if the board could find the funding now, it would show the community and students how serious the board is about the new school.
“I know right now with everything that we’re going through, trying to recover, that we have to be super cognizant of the dollars,” said Barbara Lustgarten Evoy, UGDSB trustee.
“As this project proceeds through site plan approval … that they will monitor the funding, and the objectives and our values throughout this process,” said Linda Busuttil, chair of the UGDSB.
At city council on Monday when the plan for the school was approved it was noted it would be at least a couple of years until the school was built.
The school was supposed to open in September 2022. The pandemic, delays in the rezoning process, and a boundary review are part of the reason why plans are stalled for the new school.
The new school will accommodate up to 900 students and will be located at the intersection of Arkell and Victoria roads.
