Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Burlington’s newest community centre, the Robert Bateman Community Centre, is progressing on time and on budget towards an opening in 2025. The project was designed by Architects Tillmann Ruth Robinson and a contract for the renovation and conversion of the former high school property was awarded last April to Norlon Builders London Limited for $51.8 million.
Construction milestones achieved to date include:
- Demolition and asbestos removal work is approximately 95 per cent completed.
- Structural foundations and backfill completed at the south end and structural steel framing at south facade nearly complete.
- Interior second floor renovation progressing well with steel framing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, drywall and insulation being installed.
The City of Burlington’s application for a reduction of 41 parking spaces, based on a parking justification review accounting for increased transit and active transportation options such as cycling, was approved by the committee of adjustment in December..
That means there will be 94 new parking spaces built as part of Phase 1 and the existing running track will be removed and replaced with a paved pathway will throughout the greenspace. Building an above or below-ground parking garage was deemed too expensive.
It is expected that phase 2 will include another 100 parking spaces, but the plan will be reviewed in more detail once Phase 2 uses of the building are finalized and data on actual parking demand for Phase 1 is available with a report to council.
City staff are preparing to engage with local residents on the use and design of the outdoor greenspace directly behind the community centre and Frontenac Park and with the Halton District Catholic School Board about use of the greenspace and playground at Ascension Catholic Elementary School.
An agreement could see the school’s greenspace redone and accessible to both students and the community, adding greenspace and connectivity of the Robert Bateman Community Centre.
More information will be posted at getinvolvedburlington.ca/bateman-highschool once available.
Staff will be using the feedback received from both residents and the business community along with the feedback from council to present some indoor use themes for phase 2.
The City of Burlington purchased the former Robert Bateman High School building and greenspace with the objective of being net-zero carbon by 2040. The reuse and conversion of the former secondary school will have interior renovations, exterior building changes and site plan modifications as part of Phase 1.