Owen Sound Council Approves Zoning Change for New Catholic High School on 28th Avenue East
Owen Sound council has approved zoning changes to allow construction of a new $36.1M St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School in Sydenham Heights, the first development to access extended city services.
Owen Sound City Council has approved a zoning by-law amendment that clears the way for the construction of a new St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School on 28th Avenue East, part of a $36.1 million provincial investment in local education.
The zoning change, passed by council on July 21, amends the designation of the 18.5-acre property from ‘Rural’ and ‘Hazard Lands’ to ‘Institutional’ and ‘Hazard Lands.’
The decision follows a public meeting held June 23 and a planning review that concluded the application is consistent with provincial and municipal planning policies.
A New Chapter for Catholic Education in Owen Sound
The new two-storey school, proposed by the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB), is designed to replace the aging and overcrowded St. Mary’s High School on 15th Street East.
The future school will feature approximately 12,000 square metres of floor space, 216 parking spaces, sports fields, a field house, a small auto shop, stormwater management infrastructure, and room for future portables should enrolment continue to grow.
In addition to educational facilities, the proposal includes a ceremonial garden near an existing residence and active transportation connections to nearby trails and future sidewalks. The school will primarily be accessed via a newly constructed road—14th Street East—connecting to 28th Avenue East.
First to Tie into Extended Municipal Services
This project is significant not only for education but also for city infrastructure. It will be the first development to connect to water and sewer services extended to Sydenham Heights in 2017—services funded by the City of Owen Sound, with the expectation of future cost recovery through area-specific development charges.
According to the staff report presented to council, the school development will trigger the first usage of those services, establishing a precedent for further east-side growth. Mayor Ian Boddy noted the school could act as a catalyst for more development in the area.
Public Input and Planning Considerations
At the public meeting in June, concerns were raised about how the site fits into the surrounding neighbourhood, which is largely undeveloped. Planning staff responded by noting that, although the area is currently greenfield, it is designated for residential and mixed-use development, and the school aligns with that long-term vision.
Additional questions focused on why no Official Plan amendment was required. Staff clarified that schools are a permitted institutional use within the 'Residential' land use designation under the City’s Official Plan.
Public and agency feedback included recommendations from the Grey Sauble Conservation Authority (GSCA), Grey County, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), and the Historic Saugeen Métis, all of whom raised no objections.
Environmental assessments, stormwater planning, and infrastructure agreements will be finalized during the upcoming Site Plan Approval process.
What’s Next
With zoning now approved, the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board is proposing to begin pre-grading work on the site in the summer and fall of 2025, according to the City’s staff report. This initial phase would include bulk site grading, a temporary gravel access road, and tree preservation measures.
Full construction, including installation of water and sewer connections and roadwork, is expected to follow in 2026.
Before building begins, the school board will need to enter into a servicing agreement with the City, acquire necessary permits from the MTO and GSCA, and complete site plan approvals. Environmental protection measures, traffic improvements, and accessibility elements will all be detailed in those next steps.
The City and County are also working with the school board to explore an active transportation route that could connect the site to the Grey County Rail Trail and nearby sidewalks along 16th Street East.
The new high school will serve students in grades 9 to 12 and is expected to relieve serious overcrowding at the current St. Mary’s facility, which is projected to reach 185 per cent capacity by 2034.
Further updates, including detailed timelines for construction and school opening, are anticipated as the site plan process progresses.
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