City of Burlington staff will present a report on the estimated cost of a redesign for the Robert Bateman High School building to the city’s Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services committee on Dec. 8, according to a city news release. The report also contains design details from Architects Tillman Ruth Robinson and staff recommendations to proceed with actions needed to prequalify a general contractor, and a capital finance plan.
The redesign plan to make the former high school into a community hub includes net-zero carbon technology features, adding office space and meeting rooms, a new front entrance, staircase and elevator. There will be space for Brock University students and staff, HDSB adult programs, an expanded library space for a Burlington Public Library branch, and “refreshed” gym, amongst other features. Infrastructure upgrades will also be completed to bring the building up to modern building code standards. The estimated cost? A cool $72.75 million.
The press release offered the following breakdown in costs:
| Base Building | |
| Phase 1 Base Building Construction | $41,700,000 |
| Design and Engineering/Other Soft Costs | $15,000,000 |
| Total Base Building Construction Cost | $56,700,000 |
| Recommended Energy Reduction Incentives | $5,250,000 |
| Total Recommended Base Building | 61,950,000 |
| Optional Enhanced Energy Incentives (subject to confirmation of Senior Government funding application) | $10,800,000 |
| Total Gross Construction Estimated Cost | $72,750,000 |
The report also includes a multi-year financing plan, including tax-supported debt financing to the tune of $46 million. See further details, as set out in the news release below.
| Proposed Net Capital Financing | |
| Tenant Direct Capital Contributions (Cash). | $7,100,000 |
| Non-Tax Supported Debt Financing | |
| Tenant recovery | $11,750,000 |
| Special Circumstance Debt (SCD) Financing | $4,000,000 |
| Tax Supported Debt Financing | $45,900,000 |
| Senior Government Funding (subject to confirmation by Senior Government) | $4,000,000 |
| Total Proposed Capital Financing | $72,750,000 |
The recently-renovated Burlington Centennial Pool on the site will be open to the public throughout the site renovation. A second phase of the redesign project will see “the development of approximately 40,000 square feet” of new space for the community centre and community partners; the estimated cost of this phase is $15 to $20 million.
The local community was not happy when the news came that Robert Bateman High School would close after being declared surplus to needs by Halton District School Board (HDSB) trustees in 2021. The City of Burlington submitted an offer to purchase the site in late 2021, and it was accepted by HDSB in Feb. 2022; the city officially took over ownership on Oct. 28, 2022, with a deal that included a land swap of the field at Central High School.
The city sought the public’s opinion on proposals for the former Robert Bateman High School site in May of this year. A survey was released on May 18, garnering 120 responses; the survey was “paused” on May 19. A Public Information Centre (PIC) was also held on May 31.
Many of the survey respondents were pleased about the partnership with Brock University, with the land swap with Central High School, and with increased recreational and community uses the proposal will bring forth. Others, however, were concerned about increased traffic in the area with incoming Brock students.
The city expects the newly-revamped high school to open in the later half of 2024.
