The latest population figures from Statistics Canada confirm the direction the Town of Lakeshore has been taking for several years.
The figures released today show the stretch of the north shore of Lakeshore from the Tecumseh boundary through Belle River is the youngest, large block of population.
Nearly 19% of the population in that section is 14 or younger.
Lakeshore Director of Community and Development Services - Steve Salmons - says they've been aware of that trend for a while.
He says facilities like the Atlas Tube Centre and expanded beach space is just part of what they've been doing, for a long time they've been planning for growth, through a new water treatment facility, sanitary treatment as well as strong advocacy for major road systems like Co Rd 22 in and out of Lakeshore.
Statistics Canada map screenshot
Salmons says it has been a challenge to stay ahead of the need for services: "we understand very well that we are the destination for new homes and families in Windsor Essex, we've consistently for 5 years been the fastest growing municipality in the region. And not by a little but by a lot. There's a lot of pressure to keep growing and we're up to the challenge"
He says they town is averaging 300 new single detached, mainly upscale homes per year which means you're bringing in 750 people.
He adds that the Stats Can results today tell us "these are young families with children 14 or under disproportionately larger than the rest of the region or larger than the country, which means when you follow that trend through the next 10-15 years you're going to have demand for primary schools, secondary schools"
Salmons says continuing to push for expanded capacity of County Rd. 22 and for more classroom space will be key for the community.
He points out the municipality has no say in what the school boards do, but they get the same statistics to work with.