Former Harrow high school eyed for high-density, affordable housing
The Town of Essex is exploring options to repurpose the former Harrow District high school into high-density, affordable residential housing.
A council vote is scheduled for Tuesday. Pending approval, the town will initiate a request-for-proposal process, inviting private developers to submit plans for development.
According to the town's mayor, converting the building into a community centre is no longer a financially viable option. A 2022 consultant's report found that the expenses for necessary repairs and to change the facility's use would exceed $14 million.
“This is a big deal for us,” Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy told the Star.
“Many in our community worked hard to have council buy it in the hopes of building a community centre. But when one door closes, another door opens.
“I've always said that I didn't want to see housing in the high school, but I know that in politics, you win some battles and you lose some battles.
“We're going to have to concede to letting go of the dream of being in my high school gym playing basketball again, because it just doesn't make sense financially.”
After five years of negotiations, the town purchased the 13.6-acre property in December 2021 from the Greater Essex County District School Board for $865,900.
The school, at 45 Wellington St., has been shuttered since 2016.
The original vision was to establish a green recreational space in Harrow's core and transform the high school into a community hub.
A consultant's report, however, indicated that the front portion of the building was in rough shape and the roof in need of immediate attention.
The town is now exploring high-density residential development in order to address a growing demand for affordable housing options within the community.
“People are concerned about the shortfall of housing available, specifically affordable housing,” according to a 2024 consultant's report to council.
“In addition, the Province of Ontario has aggressive initiatives to provide more housing to people. For this reason, administration is recommending that the Harrow high school property be severed and sold with the land use redesignated to high-density residential purposes as this can serve the needs for affordable housing.”
Bondy pointed to a growing number of senior residents who are seeking apartment-style living spaces that require less maintenance.
“We know we want to be part of the solution when it comes to housing,” she said.
“This is an ideal location to have some density. It's a great amenity space for families or for seniors. You have access to walking trails, there's a daycare, there are schools that aren't far.”
Bondy said the town is considering designating only the school footprint for development, while preserving jurisdiction over the surrounding green space.
The property, abutting Harrow Arena, is home to the Harrow Fair and the town's tennis courts and a baseball diamond.
“One of the things that was really important to council, and the main reason why we bought the high school, was to retain control of the green space,” Bondy said.
“So, we get to keep all of our green space, and the developer will have to build homes and accommodate parking on the current footprint of the high school.”
Next week's report to council also requests approval of a $20,000 master plan to consider building an addition onto the Harrow and
Colchester South Community Centre. This would help address demands from residents for more programming and amenities on the southern end of the municipality, particularly gym space.
The report indicated that a 14,640-square-foot addition to the centre would cost approximately $8 million. This would include an extra 4,000 square feet tagged onto the library and a 4,700-squarefoot gymnasium expansion.
If council approves the master plan, public feedback would then be sought to help determine the best layout to maximize the use of the property.
Provided that council also votes in favour of proceeding with the request for proposal, any severance and/or sale of Harrow's former high school would need final council approval.
“It's all dependent on council's approval Tuesday night, which I can't see not passing,” said Bondy.
Last August, Leamington's municipal council voted unanimously in favour of a plan to tear down the former Leamington District secondary school and erect a 13-acre “community within the community.” The plan is for 30 per cent of 305 residential units to be offered at “attainable” rental rates.