The Regional Municipality of Durham yesterday said it is exploring potential future uses for the former Ritson School property and welcomes residents to share ideas at upcoming engagement events.
The Region of Durham purchased the site from the Durham District School Board and took possession on January 26, 2022.
In 2019, Oshawa designated it under the Ontario Heritage Act as property of cultural heritage value or interest (see below).
The site includes a former elementary school building that operated until 2012. The school building was originally built in 1923 and expanded in 1928. The unused parts of the property offer an opportunity to introduce mixed-use, sustainably built housing, said a region statement.
Residents are invited to help shape the vision of the Ritson School Project by participating in the Community Engagement Drop-In Event on Tuesday, July 11 from 6 to 8 pm at the Oshawa Public Library – McLaughlin Branch, Auditorium (65 Bagot Street, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 1N2).
Oshawa local business owners and community service providers are invited to provide feedback on July 18 at the Spark Centre (2 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa, Ontario, L1H 8C1). The Local Businesses Workshop will be held from 8 to 9 am, and the Community Service Providers Workshop will run from 10 am to noon.
The property, located at 300 Ritson Road South, Oshawa, is an opportunity to help meet the current and future needs of residents through community programming and by providing affordable and market-rent housing, said a region statement.
“The Ritson School has a legacy of serving the community and this exciting project will honour that through community supports and services, and affordable housing. I encourage all residents to help shape this project by joining an engagement event—your voice matters. I look forward to redeveloping this property into something that will continue to make a positive difference in Durham Region,” said John Henry, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer.
The Ritson School Project supports the region’s commitment to initiate the development of 1,000 new affordable rental housing units by 2024, as per At Home in Durham, the Durham Housing Plan 2014-2024, and the Region’s Master Housing Strategy.
For more information about the Ritson School Project and to get involved, please visit durham.ca/RitsonSchool.
Ritson School should be change in to homeless shelter. Showers in the change room and bathroom. kitchen in staff room. Food hall in gym. Clean staff under school board janitors. Just a thought.