Former East Pictou school for sale
SUTHERLAND’S RIVER – Want to buy a school?
The Municipality of Pictou County is currently accepting proposals from anyone interested in purchasing the former East Pictou school and the 18.6 acres of land it sits on in Sutherland’s River.
The school was first built in 1952 with wings added at later dates. It closed in 2019, when students were consolidated into the neighbouring Frank H. MacDonald Academy.
Since the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education was no longer using the property, it reverted to municipal ownership.
The municipality is hoping that a redeveloper will purchase the building to give it a new life.
Those interested have until Nov. 27 to submit their proposal for purchase to the municipality.
The municipality does not want to demolish the building before selling the property.
“We put the advertisement out to see what response there would be,” said District Coun. Don Butler.
When considering proposals, he said they will be taking into account the fact that Frank H. MacDonald Academy is located nearby.
“We would consider offers under a microscope,” he said.
“We wouldn’t want just anybody there.”
He believes apartments or something of that nature would be suitable.
According to the request for proposal the municipality will consider proposals for projects such as a multiunit residential or mixed-use residential property. It states council may consider other proposed uses as well, however.
Butler is a graduate of the school and has chaired anniversary celebrations there. For him and many others it’s sad not to see it being used as a school anymore.
“There’s a lot of people that drive by all the time,” he said. “It holds a lot of memories.”
First built as East Pictou Rural High, the school was one of the first rural high schools in the region. Before it was built, students from the rural areas had to travel into the towns to go to school for Grade 11 or 12. That came at a personal cost to families. Today high school students in rural Pictou County attend either Northumberland Regional High School in Alma or North Nova Education Centre in New Glasgow.
East Pictou proudly graduated thousands of students over its lifespan, many of whom went on to achieve great accomplishments, Butler said.