06/19/2026
BREAKING NEWS: Construction Begins on Wasaga Beach's First High School and Community Hub - Council-led partnership with Simcoe Muskoka District School Board and Far Sight Homes turns long-standing need into shovels in the ground for Wasaga Beach families
Construction is officially underway on Wasaga Beach’s first high school and community hub, bringing local students one step closer to attending high school in their own community.
Representatives from the Town of Wasaga Beach, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Province of Ontario, and community partners gathered today to celebrate the official groundbreaking of the new campus at 486 River Road West.
“Today is about action, partnership, and results for Wasaga Beach families,” said Mayor Brian Smith. “Council knew our kids deserved access to high school here at home, and we took a different approach to help make that happen. By working directly with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board and the Province of Ontario, we helped advance a smarter, more practical proposal that gets shovels in the ground and doors open sooner. This project is a powerful example of what can be achieved when municipal, provincial, education, and private-sector partners work together to put students and families first.”
The project reflects a proactive, made-in-Wasaga Beach approach led by Town Council in partnership with the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. Rather than waiting for a traditional school project to move forward on its own, the Town and school board advanced a practical proposal that uses existing municipal infrastructure beside the Wasaga Stars Arena and Wasaga Beach Public Library.
That approach helped secure provincial funding for the Town’s first high school faster. For local students and families, this project means less time travelling out of town by bus, more time in the classroom, and more opportunities to take part in sports, arts, clubs, and extracurricular activities in their own community. The new campus will give local students the chance to learn, compete, and build school life in their own community.
Highlights of the project include:
✅K-12 school with 1008 student spaces
✅49 licensed childcare spaces
✅300-seat community theatre
✅Track-and-field facilities
✅Shared learning spaces, and opportunities for post-secondary and continuing education through partnerships with Canadore College and Lakehead University
The project is supported by a total investment of $70.1 million, including $67.3 million in provincial funding and a $2.8 million contribution from the Town of Wasaga Beach for theatre enhancements that will expand opportunities for students and residents. The School and Community Hub was also made possible through a significant land donation from Far Sight Homes.
Read the full news release here: https://bit.ly/4exQXSn
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FordNation | Paul Calandra | Ontario Ministry of Education | Brian Saunderson | Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board | FarSight Homes | Canadore College | Lakehead University
