Hub planned for Sir John A school land

Hamilton’s public school board is asking the province for $22.5 million to transform the Sir John A. Macdonald Secondary School property into a “community hub” that could eventually see a multistorey mixed-use building as part of the project.

The proposed hub was discussed at a news conference Friday with board chair Todd White, Coun. Jason Farr and Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, MPP for Hamilton Centre.

“This is the most excited we have been in years in terms of redeveloping a piece of property in our downtown area,” White said.

Sir John A Macdonald on York Boulevard is scheduled to close in June 2019. The plan would likely see the building demolished, but it’s possible some of the existing structure could be reused in the hub, White said.

“This project will knock the socks off any community hub, not just in this city, but across the province.”

Other community hubs in Hamilton are located at Greensville and Beverly schools in Flamborough.

The board submitted its Sir John A Macdonald proposal to the province for funding this week. Boards are allowed to submit up to 10 projects under the Ministry of Education’s Capital Priorities program.

The board is looking for partners to help develop the eight-acre site, which would include an elementary school for 600 children (that will replace Hess Street and Strathcona schools, which are to be closed), office space for some board services, childcare space as well as a child and family centre.

Potential partners, White said, could include a developer of a housing project on the site. Zoning for the property allows up to 12-storey developments.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to ... create an amazing community hub for our city and our community,” Horwath said. “I will be fighting hard ... to ensure this vision gets the funding it deserves.”