The New North Toronto C. I.

the redevelopment of North Toronto Collegiate Institute 2003-2010

Feb 11, 2003 – Re-building of NTCI approved.
On Tuesday, February 11th, a press release from the Toronto District School
Board will indicate that Supervisor Christie has approved the School
Facilities Revitalization Master Plan. We are very pleased to announce that
the re-building of North Toronto Collegiate Institute, on land adjacent to
the current building, is included as part of this plan. North Toronto
Collegiate has provided an exceptional learning environment for students
since 1912. With this new facility, we look forward to continuing the fine
tradition of excellence well into the new century.

The Toronto District School Board has made a commitment to maintain the
existing building while the new facility is constructed. The needs of North
Toronto Collegiate students will continue to be met in the present facility
until the new building opens. This is scheduled to occur in September,
2006.

In the interim, we will ensure that there is regular two-way communication
about the construction process and the specific plans, as they evolve, for
the new building.
Feb 3, 2003 – NEW BUILDING NEWS
Recommendation #14 of the TDSB Five-year School Facilities Revitalization Master Plan reads: “A 1700 pupil-place replacement facility, shared by TDSB and the French Catholic District School Board on the North Toronto Collegiate Institute site be constructed through a Joint Use Development along with private funding at an estimated total cost of $34,000,000, with an anticipated cost to TDSB of approximately $14,000,000, for school occupancy September 2006.” In addition, the following amendments were introduced by Trustee Shelley Laskin.
1. THAT immediately following the Supervisor’s approval of this recommendation a Design Team for the North Toronto Collegiate Institute replacement facility be struck involving members of the N.T.C.I. community including, but not limited to, representatives from students, staff, administration, alumni and local residents;
2. THAT the excellent educational opportunities for students that N.T.C.I. currently provides continue at the current site through the duration of the rebuild;
3. THAT the current building be maintained to an acceptable standard through the construction period;
4. THAT the replacement facility grounds include improved green space area and if possible, a regulation-size football field and track;
5. THAT discussions be held with the City of Toronto Parking Authority to inquire as to the possibility of incorporating the neighbouring surface parking lot into the facility rebuild project;
6. THAT the new replacement facility be a stand-alone school site and not part of a residential development; and
7. THAT the development agreement be brought back to Trustees for approval at an appropriate time.
Approval was received for this item, so the original recommendation plus these amendments will go the Supervisor for his consideration.
Jan 23, 2003
Shelley Laskin sent out the following letter to all grade 8 parents in Ward 11:
Dear Parents/Guardians of Grade 8 students:
Re: North Toronto Collegiate Institute Rebuild Project
As you may have heard, the Toronto District School Board Facilities staff presented their report TDSB SCHOOL FACILITIES REVITALIZATION MASTER PLAN (SFRMP) at a trustee’s meeting on 9 January 2003. Within that report is a recommendation to Supervisor Paul Christie to approve a plan to rebuild North Toronto Collegiate Institute as a joint-use project with the French Catholic District School Board and a developer. The proposed date for completion of the project is September 2006.

The new secondary school would have a capacity of l200 for North Toronto C.I. and 500 pupil spaces for the French Catholic Board. The total cost is estimated at $34M with the TDSB’s share at $l4M. The reason this school has been chosen for replacement is its location on the Yonge St. corridor and on the subway line. There is a critical need for secondary pupil places in the former North York, a need for underground parking in the area and the French Catholic Board’s need for a new secondary school to serve students in the area.

As you consider all the options available to your child to continue their educational experience in TDSB schools, please know that the excellent education opportunities that North Toronto C.I. currently provides WILL CONTINUE at the current site through the duration of the rebuild. Furthermore, the Board has committed to maintain the current building through the construction period. Please disregard any rumours to the contrary.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding any one of the great schools in our area, do not hesitate to call me. Please note the deadline for optional attendance is February 3, 2003.

A more thorough analysis of the SFRMP is available on my page on the Board website www.tdsb.on.ca or for complete details see Report No. 09/02/l57.
Jan 14, 2003
At the School Council Meeting and the Staff Meeting the following day, Trustee Shelley Laskin presented the rationale behind the rebuild proposal and reminded us that the proposal goes for approval on January 29th. At this stage the proposal is a “recommendation” to the Supervisor (Christie). Currently, the proposal (recommendation) is for a 1700 pupil place facility shared by the TDSB (NT 1200 students) and French Catholic DSB (500 students). NTCI would NOT close at any time. Students would move from the existing building to the new building upon completion. No portion of the site will be sold. Green space should not be decreased. Other details on the nature of the development are unknown. Trustee Laskin emphasized that condo or retail use are not currently in the works and that no developer/partner has been selected at this time.
Other interesting facts – NTCI’s physical plant was ranked among the 31 worst in the TDSB (along with Northern Secondary). There is no funding for capital projects from the Ministry of Education; money for this project is from the sale and lease of TDSB properties such as 155 College St.
This recommendation will be discussed at the next Ward Forum on Tuesday, January 28 at 7:15 in West Prep Jr PS. Trustee Laskin is looking forward to hearing our comments and taking them to the trustee meeting on January 29th.
Jan. 8, 2003
A Toronto Star article states that the TDSB is recommending “Levelling North Toronto Collegiate, near Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave., and replacing it with a joint-use facility that would be shared with the French Catholic District School Board. Although Penny wouldn’t comment on the specifics of the plan, she admitted the property located near the subway line is prime real estate ripe for development. Earlier media reports suggested North Toronto students would move into the lower levels of a condo or office development on that land and a French Catholic school would be built where the playing field stands. The total cost of that venture would be about $34 million with $14 million coming out of the board’s budget. The new facility would be open in September, 2006.”
November 21, 2002
A Globe and Mail article reports that the TDSB “is considering joining forces with a commercial developer to rebuild a high school because it can’t afford to repair the existing structure.”
Read the full article by clicking here
Nov 19, 2002
Principal, Ashley Waltman, announced to teachers, students and parents of the rebuild project. We were informed that the new school would be completed by September 2006 on the Broadway side and the existing school would remain open until June 2006. Staff was informed of these plans on Monday, Nov 18. Students were informed during morning announcements on Tuesday, November 19th and parents on Tuesday at the School Council Meeting and by our e-mail notification system.

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All information on this page has been entered by Mark Kinoshita (NT staff & grad ’82)

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The New North Toronto C. I.

the redevelopment of North Toronto Collegiate Institute 2003-2010

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