General News

Madawaska Valley expanding health care village

August 12, 2016

By Sarah Sobanski

Madawaska Valley council has purchased Sherwood Public School.

The Renfrew County District School Board (RCDSB) reported that the school was surplus last February. Council announced last Friday that it had passed a bylaw making an offer for the school at $150,000 before taxes. This money will come from Invest in Ontario dollars that were recouped by council after selling a property on Hwy. 60 last winter.

“The Council for the Township of Madawaska Valley recognizes the  vital role that health care services play in the economic and social well-being of this area and acknowledges the strategic importance of the Sherwood Public School property to the future of our community’s healthcare village,” said Madawaska Valley Mayor Kim Love.

The school is in a prime location to further develop what is quickly becoming the Madawaska Valley healthcare village. The school was previously located adjacent to the St. Francis Memorial Hospital.

“This particular peice of property is the spot where any sort of health care services could grow,” said Love.

After renovations this summer, the school will move to Madawaska Valley District High School.

“For the better part of the spring they’ve been working very hard to do a full renovation of a wing of the high school. It will be revealed to the public after school starts,” said Love.

RCDSB has moved elementary schools into near-by high schools with its district in the past. Love suggested this allows the board to spend money on furutre programming for its students.

The school sale is suspected to be finalised in late August. A portion of the sale will go towards developing the renovations at the high school.