Editor's note: This article has been updated with a statement from Canadore College.
The Near North District School Board has sold two surplus five-acre properties on which elementary schools were once located to Canadore College.
According to NNDSB, the former E.W. Norman site on Lake Heights Drive sold for $825,000 and the former E.T. Carmichael site on Chapais Street went for $650,000.
See related: Near North trustees approve future sale of two elementary schools
Canadore has been busy repairing and updating its living spaces at the main campus and has been vocal about expanding its student housing inventory.
In correspondence, Canadore states, "We are aware of the speculation in the community about our plans for the surplus properties we recently purchased from the Near North District School Board. We are examining many options, including housing for students and seniors, and daycare spaces. No final plans have been made."
In June 2023 the Board of Trustees approved a motion declaring the former school properties sold in preparation to sell them. The 2023 opening of NNDSB Maple View Public School made E.T. Carmichael and E.W. Norman redundant.
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On Feb. 13, the Board approved two motions accepting offers from Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology for the purchases of both properties. The sale was completed on March 28.
Under the Education Act, when schools are declared as property surplus and the decision is made to sell them, they must be offered to specific government-funded agencies before offering the property to sale to the public.
The schools were then offered to preferred agencies for a period of 90 days. Failing any offers, NNDSB would then submit a request for the Ministry of Education's approval to offer the properties for sale to the public via a request for proposal.
