It’s been a long time coming but students are finally returning to St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School in Belleville’s east end.
It’s been five years since the city of Belleville applied for a rezoning for the partial demolition and expansion of the school.
Ground was officially broken on the $22,600,000 project in March 2022 with the hopes students would return in September 2023, however, availability of supplies and contractors set the work back.
But now the city has approved the building occupancy for the school meaning classes will start on Monday (Dec. 16).
St. Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School, Belleville. (Photo: Zach McGibbon/Quinte News)
Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board Director of Education David DeSantis tells Quinte News that there are still a few final touches to be made including some carpeting and clean-up but staff will move back in this weekend.
The project includes 481 new student spaces, six learning commons, 20 learning studios, gathering stairs, breakout spaces, two dedicated EarlyOn rooms, and an additional 49 licensed childcare spaces.
Since the renovations began, students have been housed at the former Sir Winston Churchill Public School on MacDonald Avenue.
