Elizabeth Ziegler School Closure Extended Until September 2027

URGENT UPDATE: Elizabeth Ziegler Public School (EZPS) in Waterloo will remain closed for at least two more years, with a new reopening date set for September 2027. This significant delay follows a recent announcement from the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB), which originally indicated the school would reopen in September 2026.

Parents are expressing growing concern over this extended closure. Ian McDonald, a parent, stated, “I am hopeful but skeptical it will be ready by September ’27.” His daughter, entering Grade 4, may not return to EZPS before transitioning to MacGregor Senior Public School. The nearly 100-year-old building has been closed since March 4, 2025, when a large piece of concrete fell from the facade, prompting immediate safety concerns.

With over 500 students affected, plans are in place for relocations. Some students will attend Sandowne Public School, where enrollment is expected to surge from 240 to over 600 due to the influx. Parent Dave Earle voiced his worries, saying, “Two full school years of overcrowding means my kids will have to adjust and break friendships made at Sandowne.”

Despite these challenges, Bill Lemon, WRDSB’s director of business services, reassured parents that portable infrastructures are being established to accommodate the increased student population. “Sandowne has the capacity to support more than 700 students,” he noted, adding that outdoor spaces for nutrition breaks and athletics are included in the plans.

The decision to extend the closure was made following a detailed engineering report received in June, revealing “concerning” structural damage that must be addressed before reopening. Construction is now slated to start in early 2026 and is expected to finish by summer 2027. Lemon emphasized that the project requires special contractors due to the building’s heritage designation, complicating restoration efforts.

The WRDSB has approached the Ministry of Education for funding, but no additional support has been committed. Instead, the board plans to allocate costs from its own capital budget, potentially impacting other projects across the region.

As the situation develops, the WRDSB promises to keep the community informed with regular updates throughout the design, tendering, and construction phases. Parents and students are urged to stay tuned for further information as the board navigates these significant changes.

This extended closure underscores the urgent need for safe, adequate educational facilities in Waterloo, and the community is eagerly awaiting more news on the progress of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School’s restoration.