A Toronto-area developer says he has big plans for the former SCITS high school property on Wellington Street in Sarnia.
Rakesh Gupta has entered into an agreement with the Lambton Kent District School Board to purchase the historic site, with the sale set to close on September 30.
In a news release, Gupta said the initial focus will be on facilitating the adaptive re-use of the existing school building in a manner that is sensitive to its history on the site and surrounding Mitton Village neighbourhood.
Gupta said he plans to seek approvals to permit a mix of commercial, daycare, and residential uses within the building in the near-term.
"We are extremely excited to have been selected as the successful purchaser of this magnificent property," said Gupta. "We are currently in discussions with our design team to review the building in greater detail and to make recommendations on the internal renovations and modernization of the building interiors and its various additions over time. While considering the redevelopment of the existing building, we will also be exploring development options for the remainder of the site, and we look forward to discussing our plans with the community once we have undertaken our preliminary review and analysis. We would like to assure the public that we recognize how important the SCITS building has been to the fabric of your community, and we want to make sure that it continues to make positive contributions in a meaningful way over the long-term."
Gupta's project team includes Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, Nicholson Sheffield Architects, and Bayview Design Group.
He said he looks forward to working with neighbours, residents and stakeholders in the Mitton Village as they explore how the needs of the community could be accommodated through the next chapter of SCITS' history.
SCITS high school originally opened its doors back in 1922, and was declared surplus in August of 2019 after it had been closed in June of that year.