Another step forward for a new Catholic elementary school in Chatham’s north end.

The St. Clair Catholic District School Board held a ground breaking ceremony at the site of the new North Chatham Elementary School on June 18, 2018.

Almost four months after ground was broken on the McNaughton Avenue West site, trustees with the St Clair Catholic District School Board have approved a bid for construction from a London company.

The board has earmarked $993,913 in surplus funds for the 16-million dollar project, while the municipality is chipping in $259,881 for a community room and shared meeting space.

The new school will house English students from St. Vincent, St. Agnes, and Our Lady of Fatima Catholic schools.

French immersion students will be consolidated at the current Our Lady of Fatima building, which is undergoing renovations.

Work is expected to get underway later this month, however officials say the expected opening date of September 2019 is no longer feasible. A revised date will be scheduled once work gets underway.

Board officials say they are still working to find a location for a second school to be located in Chatham’s south end.