Cathy Dobson
The west wing of the former SCITS high school could become a daycare centre as early as this summer, and other ideas are in the works, says the property’s new owner.
Rakesh Gupta, a Toronto-area developer, is a director of a holding company that purchased the 9.2-acre property on Wellington Street last September. The 100-year-old school site is ideal for mixed uses, he said.
“It’s a beautiful, well-built building. Nowadays they don’t build them this strong.”
The intention is to retain the exterior appearance of the three-storey school building, though additions to the north and south could involve structural change, said Gupta.
Sarnia has a need for additional daycare spaces, so the plan is to start a Collegiate Kids Day Care in the next three to four months.
Eight or nine classrooms on the ground floor of the building’s west side can accommodate up to 85 children ages 1 to 5, said Gupta.
Approvals are still required from the Ministry of Education and the City of Sarnia, he said. But once they are in hand, renovations will be minimal and the daycare will start accepting children. More than 50 are already on a waiting list, according to Gupta.
His company is also exploring the potential for a private high school in the building, with a residential component.
“We know people would love it to be a school again, so we are looking at a boarding school, possibly for international students.
“Many people would like to send their kids to Canada for a better education,” Gupta said.
It’s possible as many as 250 students could occupy the building and make use of the existing gym, cafeteria and shops.
Gupta said it’s unclear whether the 850-seat auditorium will be used again.
“We’re not focused on that right now. It’s very nice and we would like to use it for whatever we can, but first we are concentrating on occupying the building,” he said.
Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School (SCITS) has been empty since it closed in 2019.
Gupta said he personally canvassed the neighbours and some were worried about vandalism and vagrants.
“So we have engaged a security company and cleared the bushes on the property,” he said.
The neighbours also said they are supportive of Gupta’s plans, he said. “We’re very excited about the project and are giving it our full attention.”
This is the first time he’s been involved in redeveloping a large building of this sort, Gupta added.
“It’s unique and I believe it can be profitable.”
Other possibilities for at least part of the building include housing, doctor offices, a walk-in clinic, physiotherapy services and other health-related businesses, he said.
A rezoning application to allow mixed use has been submitted to City Hall.
Checking In is a feature that updates ongoing news stories. Send your update ideas to [email protected]