Module - News

Redesign, adaptive re-use and costing plan proposed for former Robert Bateman High School building

A comprehensive staff report for the redesign of the adaptive reuse of the recently acquired Robert Bateman High School (RBHS) incorporating the results of a recent cost estimate, prepared by a third-party cost surveyor, along with a multi-year capital financing plan will be presented to the City’s Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services (EICS) committee on Dec. 8.

The City is repurposing the existing Robert Bateman High School into a multi-purpose community hub that will contribute significantly to the City’s major community facilities to accommodate future growth and will also help meet our objective of being net-zero carbon by 2040. The reuse and conversion of the former secondary school will be completed via interior renovations, enhancements and minor site plan modifications as part of Phase 1.

The total gross estimated cost of construction for phase 1 is $72.75 million, with a breakdown of costs below.

Base Building
Phase 1 Base Building Construction	$41,700,000
Design and Engineering/Other Soft Costs	$15,000,000
Total Base Building Construction Cost	$56,700,000
Recommended Energy Reduction Incentives	$5,250,000
Total Recommended Base Building	61,950,000
Optional Enhanced Energy Incentives (subject to confirmation of Senior Government funding application)	$10,800,000
Total Gross Construction Estimated Cost	$72,750,000

Along with the construction costs, staff will also present a financing plan. The financing plan proposes approximately $46 million in tax supported debt financing, with the remainder coming from non-tax supported sources which includes contributions from tenants who will be paying rent annually, and possible funding to be confirmed from the federal government.

Proposed Net Capital Financing
Tenant Direct Capital Contributions (Cash).	$7,100,000
Non-Tax Supported Debt Financing
Tenant recovery	$11,750,000
Special Circumstance Debt (SCD) Financing	$4,000,000
Tax Supported Debt Financing	$45,900,000
Senior Government Funding (subject to confirmation by Senior Government)	$4,000,000
Total Proposed Capital Financing	$72,750,000

The existing building is a two-storey, 212,000 square foot, brick-clad structure that was built in 1969, with additions completed in 1973 and 2003. The building contains community space and the Burlington Centennial Pool, which was recently renovated and will remain accessible to the community throughout the renovation.

This is a multi-phase major community investment, which will see infrastructure upgrades to build up to modern building code standards and implement net-zero carbon technologies, as well as providing space that will support future tenants on both the first and second floors. The project also will include a second phase which is the development of approximately 40,000 square feet of new City community centre space as well as new future space for community partners. The estimated cost of Phase 2 is $15 million to $20 million with the facility design to be brought back to Council following completion of public engagement.

Design features for Phase 1 include:

Brock University educational classrooms and administration spaces.
New expanded Burlington Library branch and programs
New front entrance, open collaborative corridors and seating connecting the front to the rear of the facility.
New central staircase and elevator
Meeting room spaces
Refreshed City operated triple gymnasium
TechPlace Office spaces
Halton District School Board adult program classrooms and administration spaces

Public engagement will take place in early 2023 to seek community feedback.

Quick Facts

In June 2021, HDSB trustees approved a plan to declare the former Robert Bateman High School facility surplus to its needs and retain an interest in a portion of the facility to relocate the Burlington Gary Allan Learning Centre.
In June 2021, the City of Burlington announced that an expression of interest would be submitted to the HDSB to purchase the Robert Bateman site through a partnership with Brock University.
In Dec. 2021, Council provided direction to staff to submit a formal offer to purchase the Robert Bateman High School site.
In Feb. 2022, the HDSB accepted the City’s offer to purchase the Robert Bateman High School site.
On Feb. 3, 2022, Burlington City Council endorsed next steps to advance the potential acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School site from the HDSB.
On Oct. 28, 2022 the City formally took ownership of the Robert Bateman property.

Quotes

Mayor Marianne Meed Ward

“We understand this is a significant investment -- we are building our city not just for today, or the next term of Council, but for future generations. This will be the largest community centre in Burlington and will help alleviate pressures throughout our existing facilities due to demand for space. We are playing catch-up. We know community amenities haven't kept up to population growth, and we need to invest more in parks and community centres.

We also have to hang on to the community amenities we do have. It simply wasn't an option to allow Robert Bateman High School to be sold for development, and lose our pool, access to gyms, a track and meeting rooms. So, we stepped in to buy the building along with our partners at Brock University, Halton District School Board, Burlington Public Library, and TechPlace. They are also contributing to the costs and will generate ongoing revenue. The costs are in line with what we are seeing with other municipalities and still more cost-effective than building a brand new facility.

I’m very excited for the next phase of this project where we’ll be going out to the community to hear what you’d like to see in the remaining spaces available at this community centre.”

Tim Commisso, City Manager

“The City recently completed the acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School and in so doing secured both the building and lands in public ownership and for continued community use. We fully recognize the one-time capital expenditure needed to bring the facility to modern standards is significant but investing the money now will provide another 50+ years of useful life as a new City owned and operated community hub which includes Brock University, Burlington Public Library and TechPlace as new anchor tenants . The phase 1 renovations to the existing facility will also help the City meet its climate change targets and add close to 40,000 square feet of much needed new recreation, leisure and cultural space to serve our growing community in the future. Overall, this investment represents good value for money for the residents of Burlington.”

Allan Magi, Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure and Community Services

“The re-design of Robert Bateman High School will benefit the community in many ways. The community will have access to more recreation space, meetings rooms and a community hub with educational opportunities through the Halton District School Board, Brock University and the Burlington Public Library. We are also aiming to minimize our climate impact by implementing ways we can reduce the building’s energy use.”

Links and Resources

-30-

Media contact:
Kwab Ako-Adjei
Director, Corp. Communications & Engagement
kwab.ako-adjei@burlington.ca