To dispose of the land in time for construction of the new elementary school to begin this fall, the Council had to adopt a resolution at its July 2 ordinary meeting to initiate expropriation proceedings under the Loi concernant l'expropriation (RLRQ, c. E-25).
At the same time, the Municipality will continue discussions with the Chelsea Foundation and Cargo to soon reach a negotiated agreement that will be satisfactory to all parties.
The current project is a winning formula on every level, and the whole community will benefit significantly:
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The soccer fields will be preserved;
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Parking space will be equivalent, benefiting both the school and the sports fields;
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Nearly 300 Chelsea children will be able to attend their new elementary school in the heart of the community, on a site that encourages active transportation on foot and by bike.
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Discussions are underway to make the new school facilities, including the gymnasium, accessible to Chelsea residents.
"The construction of a new school has been a long-awaited project for the Municipality and the community. We are pleased to see this new school construction project come to fruition, a direct investment in our children's education and our families' quality of life. With the Meredith Centre nearby, the people of Chelsea will have the chance to benefit from a true community and recreational hub, all in a magnificent setting in the Centre-Village," said Mayor Pierre Guénard.
It should be noted that the Municipality must transfer the land to the Centre de services scolaires des Portages-de-l'Outaouais (CSSPO) by August 24 at the latest so that it can quickly begin construction work and enable the school to welcome its first students in 2026.
