According to the board, the land will serve to enhance the “future vision of education in Waterdown,” by providing a secondary site access point to the Parkside Drive property, additional parking, space for extra portables as well as lands for relocated student accommodation.

“Expropriating the lands is necessary in order for us to enhance student safety by providing a secondary access to the site as well as planning for both short and long-term grown in Waterdown,” said Chair Judith Bishop.

The board stated that pursuing the expropriation of land would not impede on the approved development for the Parkside Drive high school, slated to begin next spring.

“We believe there is a real need to acquire the lands in order to enhance student safety through a secondary access point,” said local trustee Karen Turkstra. “Over the past six months, HWDSB has been actively searching for new lands in the Waterdown community. To date, the search has been unsuccessful because the available lands do not fit the timeframe set by the Ministry of Education for Growth School Funding.”

The HWDSB has the powers, under the Education Act, to expropriate as long as the board can demonstrate public need.

A business case has been submitted to the Ministry of Education for high growth funding. The board expects to receive a decision regarding its eligibility later this month.