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r} The Ct Our Lady of Victory School upgrades put on holdpending Milton growth knadiari Champion, Friday, February il 2000 - 9 Bv IRENE GENTLE The Champion Milton has been Ieft out of a multi-million building boom in the Halton Catholic District School Board (HCDSB), at least for now. A $2 million plan to add six new classrooms along wilh other renova- lions to Our Lady of Victory elemen- tary school bas been put on hold while the board searches for the (acta on Town growth and servicing. "To do responsible planning we wanted 10 gel more information than we currently have," said HCDSB chair Jim Sherlock. A prior look ai space needa in thse Catholic board had put the Milton achool in the running for provincial cash, said Chris Jewell, a communi- cations officer with the HCDSB. "They had done a study in June and at that time they were on the liat," he said 'They were looking for projections, and tbat's what put it on hold." To find that information, econo- mista C.N. Watson and Associates have been hired to do a study of the 4Last chance entire region. Its conclusions will be supplement- cd by reports .from individual munic- ipalities "to see what subdivisions will come firat," said the HCDSB superint endent of plants Giacomo Cgrbacio. "We're hoping in thse next six montha 10 have ail that informa- tion." When it comes in, thse board will decide whether 10 proceed with reno- vations to Our Lady of Victory or change tact. "We have dollars for space," said Mr. Corbacio. "T1he question is do .we put a big enlargement on Our lady of Victory or do we build a new. achool in a new ares? It depends on what the study says." When il ail happens also depends on the lime frame supplied by thse municipalities. *"You don't want 10 build a e school and have il haîf or three quar- ters empîy for s while," said Mr. Corbacio. "What we need 10 know is. how quickly will this new growth produce students." Under thse Ministry of Education's new funding formula, cash is avail- able 10 achools that cas prove they -fo >do responsiht planning we wslted to get more informa#lon than we eurrently have." JUInuflOu have more students than space. "The formula looks at how many spaces you have and how many you need," ssid Mr. Jewell. "There are areas where we are experiencing growth and we'do not have tIse spaces." And for those with a demonstrated need, the cash is bigger than before, said Mr. Sherlock. "It's one of the real benefits of the funding formula," he said. "Now it's much hetter. The only problem is il isn't very helpful in acquiring sites." Student enrolîment has been grow- ing steadily for years in the separate achool board, said Mr. Corbacio. But a crush ai Milton's Bishop Reding Secondary achool is expected 10 ease through the planned construc- tion of a achool in Georgetown in 2002. Currently, Halton Hilîs students are dîrected 10 Bishop Reding. And HCDSB elementary schools are pret- ty much at capacity, but thse balance is poised 10 tip when new studenîs begin pouring in. "We are watching the situation in Milton very, very closely," said Mr. Sherlock. But putting a dollar amount on ren- ovations throughout the board is dif- ficult because it's a moving target, said Mr. Corbacio. 'Il fluctuates on a regular basis because it's tied 10 enrolîment," he said. Under the funding formula, Burlington's Assumption Secondary School and St. Paul's and St. Raphael's elementary achools wili receive additions in upcoming months. So will Oakville's St. Vincent school and Acton's St. Joseph's achool. And a new elementary achool is alto in the works for Georgetown in 2001. 1228 MAIN ST., MILTON I 876-4496 1 f or award nominations Monday is the last day to nomi- nate a person or business for the annual Chamber of Commerce Community Awards. The Milton Chamber of Commerce, which bas been handing out Uhc awards since 1972, has this year expanded the business awardsý to include bolh Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year as well as Business of thse Year for' both large and smsll.çompanies, said Sandy Martin, executive ilirector. The Chamber will aisé àgain offer the Lifetime Achievement Aý'ard, but Civic Improvement of the Yé ! r and Civic Organization of the Yeaîrawards have been excluded, Ms Martin said nominatio.ps can be mailed or faxed to the Chamber,ýand are to include the person or business namne, phone number and, moal importaqtly, why they deserve 10 win. "We wanr as much informstion as possi- ble as 10 why they lhink thal person is worthy." Once everyîhing is in, a commilîc made up of Chamber members and non- members review ail Uic nominations. Awards gala lise Chamber will recognize lIsree peo- ple fromt each category al ita gala celebra- lion April 8, but only one person. will receive Uic award. Ihis year's celebration will lic held ai Granite Ridge Golf Club on Dublin Line. Everyone is invited 10 attend. Tickets coal $60 and include a gourmet dinner and Uic awazsls. Nominations cas he sent 10 the Milton Chamber of CQmmerce, 251 Main St. E., Suite 104, Milton,.Ont., L9T IPI, or faxed 10 878-4972. ON WEDNESDAY SENIORS SAVE 10% ON THEIR TOTAL SHOPPING BILL, EXCLUDING SPECIALS.