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
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
BREAKING Ottawa public school board, 3 Toronto-area school boards launch lawsuit against social media giants
The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and three school boards in the Toronto-area have launched legal action against social media giants, accusing them of "disrupting students' fundamental right to education."
Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian children
An international team of doctors visiting a hospital in central Gaza was prepared for the worst. But the gruesome impact Israel’s war against Hamas is having on Palestinian children still left them stunned.
Crypt near Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner could fetch US$400,000 at auction
A one-space mausoleum crypt in the vicinity of Marilyn Monroe and Hugh Hefner will go on auction Saturday, when it is expected to reach between US$200,000 and $400,000.
This Toronto restaurant is no longer accepting tips. Here's how it's going
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff – tipping is no longer accepted.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
What new auto insurance reforms will mean for Ontarians, if they get introduced
Ontario has among the highest rates for auto insurance premiums in Canada -- just below Alberta and Nova Scotia -- however, the introduction of an insurance reform in the provincial budget could soon lower prices.