William Dale – Local Journalism Initiative
Published online August 26, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com
Campbell’s Bay – Construction delays have temporarily pushed back the grand opening of the Pontiac Continuing Education Centre’s (PCEC) new facility in Campbell’s Bay, forcing the adult education and vocational centre to adopt a “Plan B” for the start of the 2026–2027 school year.
PCEC Principal Debra Stephens announced that while work on the new Campbell’s Bay centre continues, the facility will not be ready in time for the planned September startup. With Onslow Elementary School preparing to move into PCEC’s current home at the McDowell building in Shawville, the centre needed a temporary home to house its
academic and vocational programs for the autumn term. To resolve the transition
gap, PCEC has partnered with the Centre de services scolaire des Hauts-Bois-
de-l’Outaouais (CSHBO) service centre to temporarily share space at their dual
academic and vocational training facilities in Fort-Coulonge and Mansfield. This includes utilizing space at CSHBO’s Centre Pontiac building, located at 183, rue Principale in Fort-Coulonge.
“Despite the best-laid plans, things can happen,” Stephens explained in an update to students and the community. “The renovation and construction process has not been as smooth as people would have hoped, and unfortunately, it’s not going to be ready for our September start… But the good news is they’re continuing to work on it, and we
are going to get in there.” To give staff and teachers adequate time to pack, transport equipment, set up classrooms, and configure technology in Fort-Coulonge and Mansfield, PCEC is pushing back its first day of classes to start Wednesday, September 9 the week following the Labour Day long weekend and the 170th Shawville Fair.
To ensure students in the southern Pontiac can reach the temporary locations, the Western Quebec School Board (WQSB) is organizing a dedicated shuttle service to transport students from the Shawville area up to Fort-Coulonge and Mansfield. Specific shuttle schedules and pickup details will be communicated directly to registered students as soon as the board finalizes transit arrangements. “Fear not, we will absolutely get to you, and we’re quite excited about having a solution to our renovation problem,” Stephens added. “The spaces up there are beautiful.”
Students with questions regarding registration or upcoming transportation schedules are encouraged to watch for direct updates from the school prior to September 9.
