Contractors want to repurpose Milk River high school rather than see it demolished
The bell at Erle Rivers High School in Milk River, Alta., will ring for the last time on June 26, as the 114-year-old school is scheduled to be torn down to make way for a new K-12 school.
But a group of contractors hopes to preserve the building and convert it into a multi-use centre, including adding 23 one- and two-bedroom units, expanding a church and adding community spaces.
"Much of this well-maintained building is pre-cast concrete and designed to last for generations," said Jarrad McCoy, a Milk River-based contractor.
"It has a fresh roof that should last another 40-plus years, handicap accessibility, high-quality doors and windows. ... This would be ideal for young families and professionals to call home."
In a town short of rental units, retired Milk River doctor Lisa Lewke-Bogle says the project would fill a number of gaps in the community.
"This project would be a godsend," she said.
"Everybody wants to sell and nobody wants to rent and people coming into the community aren't always ready to commit to purchasing property."
Both Lewke-Bogle and McCoy say more housing options would also help grow the town and attract outside investors.
In order to stay on track with its timeline and pre-existing contract, Horizon School Division, which operates Erle Rivers, says the building is set to be demolished.
The Alberta government is planning to build a $24.7-million K-12 school on a new piece of property in the town.
The demolition of the existing school has a price tag of $850,000.
In August, the group met with town council about the proposed plan.
The group says council was on board.
After the meeting, the group met with Horizon, who the group says ultimately decided on continuing with the demolition despite an investor's offer of $250,000 to save the school.
"The board has decided to proceed with demolition given the deteriorating condition of the building, the pre-existing signed contract between the board, Alberta Infrastructure and the general contractor, the need to adhere to pre-existing timelines and the significant costs and risk to the board regarding possible salvage at this point in time," a statement Horizon board chair Marie Logan said.
But supporters say they haven't been able to get a clear answer as to why the board won't consider the plan.
"When you're in a position of leadership, one of your key responsibilities is to listen," said Bob Bogle, a former MLA for Milk River.
"You need to sit down with the people you've been elected to represent and listen to them and you can't listen if you don't meet.
"All those potential investors and developers are asking for is an opportunity to sit down, meet and be heard."
Horizon went on to say the board intends to dispose of the bare land to the town following the demolition process, so the town can make decisions regarding future development.
Which McCoy says then has the potential to be turned into residential properties.
It's a step he's calling unnecessary.
"New construction of this quality of institution-grade building starts around $300 a square foot," he said.
"Even new residential construction is around $200 a square foot, if you're lucky. To retrofit some of these units would be half of that ... about $100 a square foot."
Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides says the province takes the directions set by the school boards on how best to use schools.
"They are in the best position to decide how to manage their budget, save costs and operate their facilities," a statement from his office said.
The group hopes to meet with the town and school division again before the building is torn down.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Police move on University of B.C. campus protesters
Police have moved on pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of British Columbia campus in Vancouver, with lines of officers advancing on demonstrators rallying at a main intersection.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
'Scandals and secrets': On board the world's most exclusive private residential ship
It’s a floating city exclusively home to the 1 per cent, a playground for multimillionaires and billionaires that circumnavigates the world's oceans.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Charges against world's top golfer Scottie Scheffler dropped after arrest outside PGA Championship
Criminal charges against Scottie Scheffler have been dismissed, ending a legal saga that began with images of the world’s top male golfer being arrested and handcuffed in Louisville during the PGA Championship.
How Trump's hush money trial verdict could affect the 2024 election
Here is how three potential outcomes from the jury room ─ a guilty verdict, an acquittal or a hung jury ─ could affect the presidential campaign.