Onslow Students Ready to Relocate to McDowell for a Year in Unprecedented Shuffle Ahead of Major Construction

Onslow Students Ready to Relocate to McDowell for a Year in Unprecedented Shuffle Ahead of Major Construction

When students return to class on August 27, Onslow Elementary students and staff won’t be walking into their Quyon building. Instead, they’ll start the year at the Pontiac Continuing Education Centre (CEC) in Shawville, attached to the back of Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary School, kicking off what the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) is calling an unprecedented, first of its kind relocation.

Local Pontiac spoke with Joanne Labadie, chair of the WQSB’s Council of Commissioners, about the state of the renovations and plans for the upcoming school year. 

The Real Culprit: Corroding Iron Pipes

Earlier reporting pointed to general aging infrastructure at Onslow. But Labadie says the true trigger is: the school’s radiant heating system, built with iron pipes running beneath the floor, has been corroding for years. That corrosion has now progressed far enough to leave actual holes in the floor, turning a routine upgrade into an urgent structural problem.

Why the Fix Couldn’t Wait

Boards usually schedule major construction for summer break. But Labadie confirmed this job was far too big for that. Ripping out and replacing a corroded, embedded heating system, on top of a full interior renovation, new classroom space and air conditioning, isn’t a two month job.

Spread across summers only, Labadie said the work would have taken roughly 10 years to finish, with the school lurching in and out of construction every year in the meantime. Instead, the board chose one intensive year, displacing Onslow entirely rather than dragging the disruption out for a decade.

The Domino Effect

The fallout doesn’t stop at Onslow. Its move pushes the CEC out of its long time space at McDowell and back to its former building on rue Leslie in Campbell’s Bay. Once Onslow’s renovation wraps, the cycle continues: Onslow returns home, the CEC settles permanently in Campbell’s Bay, and McDowell finally begins its own overdue renovations.

“A Seamless Transition”

Labadie said crews have been working hard behind the scenes, packing up Onslow’s classrooms and setting up new learning spaces at McDowell, aiming for what she called a seamless transition when the bell rings.

Whether that holds up under real bus routes, shared hallways and a temporary home will be the true test in these first few weeks.

Big changes ahead for the Pontiac this school year! 🚌📦

Onslow Elementary students are packing up and heading to McDowell in Shawville for a full year while major construction gets underway back in Quyon. Meanwhile, the Continuing Education Centre is making an unprecedented move of its own, relocating to Campbell’s Bay.

We sat down with Joanne Labadie, chair of the WQSB’s Council of Commissioners, to find out what’s really behind this first of its kind shuffle, and why the work couldn’t wait.