New Christian School about to break ground

Tori Sutton
STAFF REPORTER
Construction of the new Stratford District Christian School is expected to begin on Monday.

The new 20,800-square-foot facility has been in the works for three years and if all goes as planned, students will occupy the new school in spring 2009.

“We’ve been working on this for quite a long time and to actually be able to start the building, we are extremely pleased,” said Chris Otten, president of the Stratford District Christian School.

The Queensland Road school will feature a full computer lab, a library, four classrooms and a larger junior/senior kindergarten classroom, along with resource rooms, staff and administration rooms and washroom and handicapped facilities.

It will be a major step up from the school’s current facilities in Sebringville.

“The old building we’ve been holding together with love,” said Otten, explaining a long-term strategy exercise undertaken by the school four years ago identified the condition of the Sebringville building as the biggest concern.

After plans to build on Lorne Avenue fell through because of contaminated land issues a few years ago, the school won the bidding war on the parcel of land at the Queensland Road curve. By June 2006, a zone change gave the school the green light to begin the process and in early 2007, city council approved the site plan for the project.

The school held a groundbreaking last year at this time, but with financing in place, construction is finally starting on the single-storey school.

Principal David Straatsma is confident any concerns raised by neighbours earlier in the process, including traffic control, have been addressed.

“I have only heard positive, everybody is eager for us to come to town,” said Straatsma, noting all buses will unload on the property and there is a special loop for emergency vehicle.

Stop signs installed at the corner also make it safer to cross the road and helps slow down traffic, he said.

The framed exterior structure will blend in with the neighbourhood with brick, stone and stucco detailing and a shingled roof. Interior details include glass vision panels, screen partitions, ceramic tile and masonry partitions. There will be parking for 65 cars and stormwater management provisions included.

The school is also constructing a soccer field on adjacent parkland, which will be available to user groups outside school hours.

The school community gives much credit to Conroy Schellhaas, chair of the new building committee for his hard work and expertise.

The capital campaign has raised about 75 per cent of the school’s initial fundraising target, but another $800,000 needs to be raised to cover the $2 million expense. Jonathan Koch, capital campaign co-ordinator, said most of the donation received have been from individuals in the school community. But the campaign is now reaching out to businesses and the general community for help. He said there are naming and gifting opportunities for rooms and playground equipment.
There are also plans for two more phases of construction, though no timelines are in place yet. The second phase would see a gymnasium constructed, while tentative phase three plans call for more classrooms and a music room.
“As we are going through right now we are being realistic and optimistic at the same time,” said
Otten, adding the gymnasium could be built sooner than later.

The school currently has 97 students, with about 60 per cent of them residing in Stratford. Many students also come from the Mitchell and Tavistock areas. They are looking forward to moving into the school after March Break.

“The children are very excited about the prospect of a new school and are looking forward to bright hallways and colourful classrooms,” said Straatsma.

The school intends to sell the building in Sebringville, possibly at auction this fall. Anyone interested in registering for the upcoming school year or donating to the capital campaign can call the school.