Ontario is investing a total of $20 million to construct a new state-of-the-art high school and community hub at the southwest corner of Bloor Street and Dufferin Street in Toronto.

The new facility will be built on the current site of Brockton High School to accommodate about 900 students, including those from Bloor Collegiate Institute and ALPHA II Alternative School. In addition, the province is working with the Toronto District School Board (TDSB), City of Toronto and local community groups to secure up to 30,000 square feet for the planned community hub on the site, which will include a licensed child care centre and space for community programming.

“Community hubs across Ontario offer a wide range of services through a variety of models, reflecting the province’s diversity,” said Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure, in a press release. “They make good use of public properties and encourage the creation of multi-use spaces. I know this hub in the vibrant Bloor-Dufferin neighbourhood will be a boon for all who live in the community.”

The Ontario government and the City of Toronto will be working with community groups in the region to help develop a vision for the community hub.

“This announcement is the result of an unprecedented level of cooperation between the TDSB, the Ontario government and the City of Toronto, who agreed to use surplus school land in a way that maximizes value and keeps supporting the community by bringing new services to its residents,” added Robin Pilkey, Chair of the Toronto District School Board.