What to do with Harrow high?

Some big decisions are coming for the newly elected Essex Town council in the coming months over what to do with the former Harrow High School.
Council received an external report from Haddad, Morgan & Associates about the costs associated with renovating the former High school, which the town previously bought from the Greater Essex County District School Board.
According to the consultant’s report refurbishing the building to its existing use could cost roughly $8.6 million dollars, due to necessary repairs to the structure, as well as mechanical, electrical and plumbing work.
According to a report to council, that cost could rise to more than $10 million if the building is re-purposed as a community centre.
“Additional work would be required which includes updates in accordance with the Building Code Act, updates would be required to adhere to the current Accessibility Standards, and Asbestos removal may be required,” reads the report to council.
The option of demolition is also on the table.
Council will do a walk-through of the building in the New Year and looks to hear from residents about what they want to do with the site.
“We have a lots of hopes and dreams for recreation, but I understand as mayor this cannot cost the taxpayers money. We are running lean budgets already and we are stretched with inflation, so we have to look out of the box,” said Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy.
Bondy said the town will also consider renting space to collect revenue to help offset costs, but first needs to gauge council’s appetite for embarking on the project.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PM Trudeau presenting premiers with health-care funding offer
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is presenting the federal government's offer for billions in new health-care funding to the provinces and territories at a highly anticipated meeting in Ottawa today. At the first in-person meeting of all First Ministers in years, Trudeau is set to outline how much money his government is willing to provide, and what his expectations are for improving care.

Newborn, toddler saved from rubble in quake-hit Syrian town
Residents digging through a collapsed building in a northwest Syrian town discovered a crying infant whose mother appears to have given birth to her while buried underneath the rubble from this week's devastating earthquake, relatives and a doctor said Tuesday.
Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire: BMO survey
Canadians now believe they need $1.7 million in savings in order to retire, a 20 per cent increase from 2020, according to a new BMO survey. The eye-watering figure is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
One-third of households say they're financially worse off compared to year ago: poll
A new poll finds one-third of Canadian households say their financial situation has worsened over the last year. According to a Leger poll commissioned by the Association for Canadian Studies, 34 per cent of Canadian households say they're financially worse off compared with a year ago.
U.S. actor facing sex charges in Nevada also facing charge in B.C.
A former actor in the movie 'Dances With Wolves' who is facing eight sex-related charges in Nevada is also facing a charge in British Columbia.
Quake deaths pass 6,200 as Turkiye, Syria seek survivors
Search teams and emergency aid from around the world poured into Turkiye and Syria on Tuesday as rescuers working in freezing temperatures dug, sometimes with their bare hands, through the remains of buildings flattened by a powerful earthquake. The death toll soared above 6,200 and was still expected to rise.
Germany, Denmark, Netherlands pledge Ukraine Leopard 1 tanks
Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands say they plan to provide Ukraine with at least 100 refurbished Leopard 1 battle tanks.
Canada announces $10 million in aid to Turkiye, Syria after deadly earthquake
Ottawa says Canada will contribute $10 million to earthquake relief efforts in Turkiye and Syria as part of an initial aid package.
U.K. police officer, exposed as serial rapist, jailed for life
A former London police officer was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years for raping and sexually assaulting a dozen women over a 17-year period.