In the town’s council meeting on Tuesday night, a letter was received from the Simcoe County District School Board asking for more recess space for the students at Chris Hadfield Public School for the 2020/2021 school year.
With increasing growth pressures, more and more portables are needed, encroaching on the current play area at the Bradford school. The school board asked for permission to utilize the northernmost portion of Alan Kuzmich Memorial Park, to be used by the students at recess.
“It would be for their exclusive use,” said CAO Geoff McKnight, who met with the school board earlier, to discuss the request.
A total of 15 portables are currently on the school site, with more to be added next year.
“This is showing that we need another school,” said Ward 1 Coun. Raj Sandhu.
The addition of more portables and the use of the park for recess space is only a temporary solution, as the Simcoe County District School Board has been approved for a new school building in Bradford’s north end, north of Line 8.
“It is expected that once open, the new school will alleviate enrollment pressures at Chris Hadfield,” the school board noted in its letter.
Council voted in favour of the request
“It’s good to see the school board and the town work together,” said Mayor Rob Keffer.
.
