184-space addition coming to Whitby school

The Durham Catholic District School Boards is celebrating a $5.4 million provincial investment to build a 184-space addition at St. Luke the Evangelist elementary school in Whitby.

The funding is part of $1.6 billion awarded to 79 school construction projects across Ontario by the provincial government through its Capital Priorities program. The investments will support growing communities by creating more than 29,000 new student spaces and 1,900 new licensed child care spaces so students have the modern learning spaces they need to succeed.

“Student success starts with having the right environment to learn,” said Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra. “We’re building the schools students need, and we’re making sure they get built quickly and on schedule. With stronger oversight and accountability … we are ensuring projects are delivered on time and focused on students, so that parents can be confident their children have the tools and opportunities they need to thrive.”

The Capital Priorities program supports the construction of new schools, permanent additions, renovations and school purchases. This year’s funding will support a combination of new school builds, expansions and retrofits across the province and is part of Ontario’s commitment to provide more than $22 billion over 10 years to support new school construction, renewal and improvements.

“The addition at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School will meet the needs of increased interest in Catholic education in our growing Whitby community by creating modern, welcoming learning spaces where students can thrive academically, spiritually, and socially,” said Morgan Ste. Marie, Chair of the Durham Catholic District School Board. “With this announcement, we have begun the process of building on the success of similar projects and are prepared to move forward with a plan to have the space ready by September 2027, pending approvals and tendering within the approved funding allocation.”

In addition to the 67 projects approved for $1.3 billion in provincial support in 2025-26, there is also nearly $300 million in funding provided through the 2026-27 program to approve 12 priority projects that are ready to proceed.

Whitby MPP Lorne said the investment at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic School will help “meet the needs of our growing community and support student achievement in Whitby for years to come.”