A new Ottawa city councillor is pushing the province for a new school in the Findlay creek community in south-Ottawa.

In a letter to provincial Education Minister Liz Sandals, Qaqish appeals for “urgent support for funding a new primary school in the large and rapidly growing community of Findlay Creek.”

Quaqish says the need is expedited by the fact that the nearest public elementary school, Elizabeth Park, is slated to close in 2017.  

That’s because the Department of National Defence, the landowner, is not renewing the lease.

“We need to see shovels in the ground sooner rather than later, so parents and families have a smooth transition,” Qaqish said.

Parents in the community say many families bought homes in the area on the expectation a new elementary school would be built.

“We wouldn't have bought here in this neighbourhood, we would have gone to Riverside South where there are tons of schools, “said parent Rene Siguenza, whose four-year-old son Atticus is bused to St. Thomas More School, about 15 minutes away.

“To have a school two blocks from our house, there's 500-600 kids here that would go to that school,” said Diana Siguenza, Atticus’ mom.

Qaqish said two years ago, the Ottawa Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) pushed Findlay Creek lower on the list of priority communities needing a new school.

“Now we're asking to be pushed back to the top, because we do need it more than I believe any other community,” he said.

In a statement, an OCDSB spokesperson said:  “DND has given the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board notice that they wish to terminate the lease for Elizabeth Park in 2017. The OCDSB would build a replacement school in-boundary on lands secured in the Findlay Creek community. This replacement school has been identified as a Capital priority and the Ministry of Education has been made aware of both growth needs and the need for a replacement facility for Elizabeth Park.”

In a statement, Education Minister Liz Sandals’ spokesperson said: "Our government has invested over $12 billion‎ in capital funding since 2003, including funding to support over 600 new schools. In addition, our funding over the years has helped support school boards in addressing accommodation pressures and conditions of their buildings. Decisions about priority projects and addressing accommodation pressures are best made by the locally elected school board and trustees who best understand the needs of their local community.‎"