Sod-turning ceremony held for new Kingston combined intermediate and secondary school

It’s not every day that Kingston gets a new high school.  It’s been 40 years since the Limestone School Board last built one.

A ground-breaking ceremony was held Friday for a new intermediate and secondary school located on the grounds of the former Queen Elizabeth Collegiate and Vocational Institute (QECVI).  Work has actually begun on the site as much of the top soil has already been stripped away.  Once complete, the 171,000-square foot, $38-million facility will house over 1,300 students.

“We’re really, really excited about the technology that we’re bringing into the building,” Debra Rantz, the director of education for the public board, said.  “The green aspect, the smart systems and we’re honouring every pathway, whether it’s college, university or work place, the students will see themselves in this new school.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We're really, really excited about the technology that we're bringing into the building," Debra Rantz, the director of education for the public board, said.  "The green aspect, the smart systems and we're honouring every pathway, whether it's college, university or work place, the students will see themselves in this new school."

A number of dignitaries took part in the ceremonial sod turning including Kingston and the Islands MPP, Sophie Kiwala.

“It’s taken a lot to get to this point, it’s not easy to bring school communities together.  I’m so excited for the students who will have a chance to learn here, the teachers and management that will work here and our community partners that will benefit from the next generation of students who come through the doors of this new school.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's taken a lot to get to this point, it's not easy to bring school communities together.  I'm so excited for the students who will have a chance to learn here, the teachers and management that will work here and our community partners that will benefit from the next generation of students who come through the doors of this new school."

In the wake of Gord Downie’s death, there’s been a growing movement on social media to name something in his memory and many feel the new school might fit the bill nicely. Rantz says Downie’s name was submitted by the public and is in the mix.

“Over the next weeks the integration committee will release a short list of names — then it will go back out for public consultation so people will be able to have their say about it and how they’re feeling about that in a few weeks.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Over the next weeks the integration committee will release a short list of names — then it will go back out for public consultation so people will be able to have their say about it and how they're feeling about that in a few weeks."

The building is slated to be open for the 2019-2020 school year.