Ritson School Project: A vision for a vibrant community

Whitby, Ontario – Exciting next steps are being considered for the Ritson School Project.

This phased redevelopment will create a vibrant community with a mix of affordable and market-rate housing. The proposed project includes 660 units, with at least 30 per cent being affordable. Approximately 500 units in four blocks will be released through Request for Proposals (RFP) under a long-term lease model.

The Region will also restore the historic Ritson School building into a community hub and create new public open spaces. Stabilization, remediation, detailed design, and future capital work will need to be completed by the Region before the building can be reused as a community hub.

Council will consider these recommendations at the Regional Council meeting on February 26. The report is subject to approval and includes a request for funding for work on the Ritson School building and surroundings for stabilization, remediation, heritage assessment, open space planning and detailed design.

The approach is to have new mixed-market housing by the private or non-profit sectors through a competitive process. An RFP for the vacant land surrounding the school building will be released in spring 2025.

The vision is for the site to have new publicly accessible open spaces that are vibrant, active and inviting with community place-making in mind.

The former Ritson School property, located at 300 Ritson Road South, Oshawa, is an opportunity to help meet the current and future needs of residents through community programming and by providing affordable and market-rent housing.

For more information about the Ritson School Project and to get involved, please visit durham.ca/RitsonSchool.

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Media inquiries:

The Regional Municipality of Durham:
Corporate Communications
CorporateCommunications@durham.ca