Despite the cool weather, the rain held off as many gathered to take part in the historic groundbreaking ceremony for Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School. Under brilliant sunshine, staff from the Sudbury Catholic District School Board congregated alongside students, Principals and Parent Council Chairs from Corpus Christi, St. Theresa and St. Christopher to celebrate the first steps towards the creation of Holy Cross. Invited dignitaries included M.P.P. Rick Bartolucci and Mayor Rodriguez of which both had the opportunity to address the crowd about the importance of this mementous event. In his speech, Bartolucci spoke to the students specifically about the fact that this was all about them as they are “the future of Sudbury, the future of Ontario and will be the future leaders of our great country.” Bartolucci also focused on the Catholic Board’s logo of “Schools to Believe In” as he told the group that by having the vision to build Holy Cross, the board is doing just that – truly building a school to believe in.

Mayor Rodriguez asked the students to begin to transfer all of their commitment and enthusiasm from their current school to the new Holy Cross. He explained that they will be “embarking on a whole new set of experiences as they will be the very first students at a brand new school.”

Board Chair Jody Cameron concluded the address as he spoke of the school bringing a “renewed sense of community for the south end students, parents and community partners.” As well, he focused on the importance of remembering that it is the “collective heart and soul of the students that will carry it forward, and make Holy Cross a green school that will service the south end community for decades to come and serve as a beacon of education.”

The event finished with the official sod-turning with several people taking part including Mayor Rodriguez, M.P.P. Bartolucci, Catherine McCullough, Director of Education, Paula Peroni, Trustee, Jody Cameron, Board Chair, Louis Belanger, Architect, and Laura Kuzenko, Holy Cross Principal.