MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Marion County Public Schools will break ground on the new $63 million replacement facility for Lake Weir Middle School on April 7. The ceremony is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at the construction site located at 685 Oak Road in Ocala.
Construction firm Skanska is leading the project, which involves building a three-story, 141,000-square-foot facility on a 30-acre greenfield parcel. The new school is designed to accommodate more than 1,400 students once construction is finished.
Marion County School Board Chair Dr. Sarah James and Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer are scheduled to provide remarks during the ceremony. They will be joined by Lake Weir Middle School Principal Dr. Brian Greene and several current students. School Board Vice-Chair Lori Conrad is slated to provide the concluding comments for the program.
The lineup of speakers also includes several legislative officials. U.S. Rep. Randy Fine and Florida House Member Ryan Chamberlin are expected to speak, along with a representative from the office of U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody. Matt McCormick, president of the Ocala CEP, will also share remarks during the event.
Project insight will be shared by representatives from Marion County Public Schools and PBK, the project architect. The ceremony will also feature performances by the Lake Weir Middle School Band and the Lake Weir High School JROTC Color Guard. The groundbreaking event is free and open to the public.
The new school is slated to open for students in August 2027.
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