Delta SS transformation

bornagainbiking · #1 Posted **Jun 1, 2012, 10:32 AM**

COUNCILLOR WANTS CITY TO PURCHASE DELTA PROPERTY
From CHML news app.
THURSDAY May 31 2012

A Hamilton politician says it's the best scenario under a very bad situation.

Councillor Sam Merulla is suggesting that the City of Hamilton seek to purchase the Delta Secondary School property now that the high school has been confirmed for closure by the public school board.

BCTed · #2 Posted **Jun 1, 2012, 12:00 PM**

from http://www.thespec.com/news/local/ar...ew-development:

"Merulla says he doesn’t believe the city has ever embarked on this kind of project. However, he points out that several other former schools — such as Stinson and Allenby — have been successfully redeveloped as condos or lofts."

I don't know anything about Allenby, but I am not too sure that the Stinson school has been successfully redeveloped as anything.

flar · #3 Posted **Jun 1, 2012, 12:15 PM**

What would the city do with such a building?

Developing a small elementary school into lofts is one thing, but Delta is a huge high school building. It probably won't translate well to anything other than institutional use.

What I don't get is why they don't just keep it open instead of building another school. It's an iconic building, like Westdale HS. Didn't they just revamp Delta a few years ago? Why the need to constantly close these huge buildings and build brand new ones? Seems like a huge waste.

Duckyboy · #4 Posted **Jun 1, 2012, 3:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCTed

from [URL="http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/735433--city-eyes-delta-for-new-development"]"... — such as Stinson and Allenby — have been successfully redeveloped as condos or lofts."

I don't know anything about Allenby, but I am not too sure that the Stinson school has been successfully redeveloped as anything.

Yea... that might be counting your chickens before they hatch.

matt602 · #5 Posted **Jun 1, 2012, 3:55 PM**

I really don't want to see Delta torn down or abandoned but as already mentioned, Delta is freaking HUGE. There would have to be a very thriving market for a conversion project which you wouldn't find in really any area of Hamilton yet. I would think that if it were tackled, a few wings of the building would have to be demolished in order to decrease the size. I also worry that even if the city were to purchase the building, it would just sit empty for years much like the smaller Mills China building on King has.

devil's advocate · #6 Posted **Jun 2, 2012, 12:35 AM**

Why not turn the building into a rec center? Heck move the Kenilworth library into there. Have a pool, weight rooms, indoor soccer fields, basketball courts etc and maybe even fit a ice rink in there. This is something I think that part of the city could really use, just a thought

Dr Awesomesauce · #7 Posted **Jun 2, 2012, 12:52 AM**

Delta was recently renovated, though I'm not sure to what degree. I haven't been inside the school for about ten years and while it was in dire need then, it's probably just fine now.

Perhaps the City could purchase the school and house some of its employees there. They most certainly wouldn't be able to fill it but as long as the building is in use to some degree, it won't fall into disrepair.

Maybe Columbia College or some other private school would be interested.

I, for one, do not like converting schools into condos. No matter what the Board says, this school and so many others slated to close, are needed. To alter them for housing would render them useless as schools in the future. And as we all know, school enrolment is a cyclical thing; Delta will be in demand again at some point in the future.

bornagainbiking · #8 Posted **Jun 2, 2012, 3:32 AM**

How about a community centre with rooms allocated for brownies, girl guides, scouts, cadets and Boys and Girls clubs. With classrooms.
Or for assisted living the halls are very wide for wheel chairs, scooters and set up clinics, and as this city is aging all the other services, cafeteria, foot doctor, RMT, psysio, ti-chi, yoga etc etc.
East Hamilton is getting older and retirement services will be needed.

Dr Awesomesauce · #9 Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 2:47 AM**

^Sounds good to me. But the Board will sell it to the highest bidder. Not sure whether the City will play that game or not.

mattgrande · #10 Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 12:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce

^Sounds good to me. But the Board will sell it to the highest bidder. Not sure whether the City will play that game or not.

Isn't there a specific order of groups they have to offer it to before it goes for open bidding? Catholic board, French schools, colleges, universities, then the city?

SteelTown · #11 Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 12:42 PM**

^ Yes.