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Revitalization Projects

Revitalization Projects

NOW OPEN: JK to Grade 6 school in New Sudbury

Lasalle Elementary School welcomed its first cohort of students in September 2023.

The new French Immersion JK to Grade 6 school in New Sudbury completes the Lasalle Secondary School campus which includes the Lancer Dome, a multi-purpose recreation facility for student and community use.

The new build incorporates a number of green features as Rainbow District School Board makes sustainability an ongoing priority, including R30 exterior walls, heat recovery system, toilets and urinals with sensor activated flush valves, a building
automation system and LED lighting with occupancy sensors.

The school accommodates students from Ernie Checkeris Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School and Westmount Avenue Public School which closed at the end of June.

Before and after school programs began when the school opened. Child care as well as the EarlyON child and family program will be offered as of January 2024.

Schematic of the new JK to Grade 6 FI elementary school on the Lasalle Secondary School site.

School renewal in Espanola near completion

The final phase of school renewal in the Espanola area will be completed this fall.

In keeping with the Espanola education plan presented to the community in 2014, the former A.B. Ellis Public School property is being reconfigured to provide parking for the revitalized Espanola High School and the new A.B. Ellis Public School. This will alleviate the traffic congestion in the area.

Additional parking beyond daily needs will be available for school events, such as graduations, concerts and sports. The community will have access to the parking outside of school hours for the Recreation Complex and other nearby facilities.

Green space is also being incorporated into the overall design, including community gardens that will engage students in
environmental education.


New Sudbury

Grade 7 and 8 students from Churchill Public School and Carl A. Nesbitt Public School transferred to Lasalle Secondary School in September 2020.

Churchill Public School welcomed students from Cyril Varney Public School in September 2022.

The original portion of Churchill Public School has been replaced with a 5,300 square foot addition for child care and Kindergarten classrooms. The former child care rooms have been renovated to accommodate the students from Cyril Varney.

The new addition has been constructed from wood, an environmentally friendly resource. Old exhaust systems have been replaced with new efficient Energy Recovery Ventilation or ERV units to maximize ventilation.

Energy efficient lighting and plumbing fixtures have also been added. An outdoor classroom, a cornerstone of the school’s regreening efforts, enhances the school grounds and play area.


Lancer Dome

There is a new entrance to the dome at Lasalle Secondary School. It’s a field house with a registration desk, washrooms, change rooms, lockers and a water filling station.

Most of the work inside the field house was completed by Rainbow District School Board’s maintenance staff. They finished interior walls, built cabinets and benches, and installed countertops, hardware, doors and lockers. They also did the electrical work and plumbing.

The site work will be completed next summer as part of the new French Immersion JK to Grade 6 school on the Lasalle Secondary School campus.

Front entrance of the Lancer Dome at Lasalle Secondary School

Manitoulin Secondary School

Celebrating 50 years of excellence in education, Manitoulin Secondary School has been reimagined to showcase its geographic location, natural setting, distinct history and rich heritage. All students will see themselves reflected in their surroundings and have a strong sense of belonging at the newly renovated facility.

Renovations not only include upgrades to the building’s automation, water, mechanical and lighting systems, but an inspiring redesign of the entire learning and teaching environment throughout the building, architects incorporated natural elements like cedar and limestone, as well as traditional Indigenous culture, like the four elements, cardinal points, the circle of life, and the Seven Grandfather Teachings.

Heavy timber now frames the front doors, which open up to a bright and airy foyer, flooded with natural light. New wooden ceiling beams and a fireplace bring warmth and texture to the space.

The redesigned cafeteria has modern round tables, café-style seating, lounge areas for conversation and quiet.The gymnasium, where new bleachers were installed, has sparkling new doors with a striking decal of the school’s long-time mustang mascot.

The school also features a new library with new technology, updated science lab, an agricultural classroom and refreshed washrooms, including a universal washroom.e centrepiece of the renovation is the multi-purpose cultural room in the heart of the building. A Three Fires Indigenous student space offers a central open area for ceremonies, smudging, drumming, storytelling, and teaching – all with a view through the main lobby to the main entrance and the central courtyard with benches, picnic tables, plants, trees and the sky above.

Front entrance of Manitoulin Secondary School.
Photo by: braedenmartel.com

K to 12 School in Chelmsford

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School has been retrofitted to create a Kindergarten to Grade 12 school offering JK to 8 (English and French Immersion) and Grades 9 to 12 (English). Now fully complete, the Chelmsford K to 12 school features a renovated elementary wing, a new entrance, new library spaces, an elementary gym for the junior division and a renovated high school gym. The retrofit includes LED lighting with occupancy sensors, a building automation system and new energy efficient roof top units for heating and cooling.

With distinct wings for younger and older students, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School is Rainbow District School board’s first K-12 school, which will allow for greater collaboration among students. Kindergarten students have access to a green space in the courtyard, while older students can watch living walls come to life within the school.

Chelmsford Valley District Composite School has a strong focus on environmentally sustainable practices as well as a health and wellness to support student achievement.

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Chelmsford Public School has been consolidated into the Chelmsford Valley District Composite School building as of September 1, 2020. The school is also home to Grade 7 and 8 students from Larchwood Public School, which is now a JK to Grade 6 school.

The French Immersion program at Levack Public School has been transferred to the Chelmsford school. Levack Public School is now a JK to Grade 8 school offering the English Program only.

With distinct wings for younger and older students, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School is Rainbow District School Board’s first K to 12 school, which will allow for greater collaboration among students. A true community school, there will be a renewed focus on service within the community.


Grade 7 and 8 at Lasalle Secondary School – Update

Lasalle Secondary School welcomed Grade 7 and 8 students from Adamsdale Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School, Churchill Public School and Cyril Varney Public School on September 1, 2020.

A portion of Lasalle Secondary School has been renovated to accommodate the senior elementary students who also have access to the new sports dome at the school. The renovations include energy efficient LED lighting.

The Grade 7 and 8 wing has 10 classrooms. Modern and bright, the classrooms are equipped with smart projectors, whiteboards and new furniture to inspire 21st century learning.


Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Interior and exterior work has been completed at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School. The main entrance is now located at the ground level next to the newly renovated library. The long stairs leading up to the school have been removed and the foyer has been redesigned into a bright, modern cafeteria with a café style seating.

The former cafeteria has been repurposed into two classrooms. An additional classroom on the third floor is now a modern science lab The project includes new heat recovery units, LED Lighting and a building automation system.


Rainbow District School Board has updated the implementation dates for projects and program changes affecting schools in New Sudbury and Valley North.


New Sudbury

Grade 7 and 8 students from Churchill Public School and Carl A. Nesbitt Public School will transfer to Lasalle Secondary School for September 1, 2020.

A new French Immersion JK to Grade 6 school on the Lasalle Secondary School site is scheduled to open September 1, 2021, subject to Ministry of Education approval to proceed.

The new school will accommodate students from Ernie Checkeris Public School, Carl A. Nesbitt Public School and Westmount Avenue Public School.

The Lasalle Secondary School site will also feature a multi-use sports facility for school and community use. The facility is scheduled to open in the fall of 2019.


Valley North

Subject to Ministry of Education approval to proceed, Chelmsford Valley District Composite School will be retrofitted to create a JK to 12 school offering JK to 8 in English and French Immersion and Grades 9 to 12 in English for September 1, 2020.

Once the project is complete, Chelmsford Public School will be consolidated into the Chelmsford Valley District Composite School building. The school will also welcome Grade 7 and 8 students from Larchwood Public School.

The French Immersion program at Levack Public School will continue until the Chelmsford Valley District Composite School retrofit is complete. At that time, the French Immersion program at Levack Public School will be transferred to Chelmsford Valley District Composite School.

Levack Public School will then become a JK to Grade 8 school offering the English Program only. The school will also be right-sized to reduce surplus space for September 1, 2020, subject to Ministry of Education approval to proceed.


Valley East

Confederation Secondary School welcomed Grade 7 and 8 students from Pinecrest Public School in September 2017. A portion of the secondary school has been renovated to accommodate students in a distinct and separate wing. Grade 7 and 8 students have a dedicated entrance, with direct access to lockers and classrooms. Construction of a new gym will begin this fall with scheduled completion by the spring of 2018. Redwood Acres Public School now offers Kindergarten to Grade 6.


S. Geiger Public School

S. Geiger Public School welcomed the students from Webbwood Public School in September 2017.


Consolidation of Educational Support Services

Rainbow District School Board is consolidating its educational support services.

During the regular Board meeting on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, Trustees approved the renovation of the Wembley site to accommodate a Centre for Education.

The Wembley site is the Board’s preferred option from a feasibility study carried out by Yallowega Bélanger Salach Architecture and Ameresco.

The Board requested the study at its meeting on January 27, 2015, with a goal of minimizing the disruption to students while maximizing the use of Board property.

Educational support services include the Board Office at Centre for Education, 408 Wembley Drive in Sudbury, the Gord Ewin Centre for Education at Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Information Services at Lively District Secondary School, the Maintenance Shop at Lockerby Composite School, the Carpentry Shop at Chelmsford Valley District Composite School and the Computer Training Lab and staff at Northeastern Elementary School.

The Centre for Education will also house the Restart Program, currently at Barrydowne College, and the program for Children and Youth in Care, currently at O’Connor Park.

A total of $7.3 million was approved for the renovation.

The project will begin in January 2016, with a scheduled completion date of August 2018.

Espanola High School

September 7, 2016

The Espanola High School site has been revitalized to accommodate two distinct schools – A.B. Ellis Public School (K to Grade 8) and Espanola High School (Grades 9 to 12).

Kindergarten to Grade 8 students moved into newly renovated facilities in September 2016.
In addition to a daycare, the elementary portion of the revitalization project includes large, bright Kindergarten classrooms with an enclosed outdoor play space as well as 21st century classrooms. A.B. Ellis Public School will also have a natural playground. Site work will be completed in the summer of 2017.

Grade 9 to 12 students moved into newly renovated facilities in September 2015. The secondary portion of the revitalization project included four science labs, a welding shop, six new classrooms and an upgraded library. Upgrades were also made to the main entrance, lobby and parking area.

An official opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday, September 28, 2016.

June 10, 2015

Work is progressing on the revitalization of the Espanola High School site to accommodate two distinct schools – A.B. Ellis Public School (K to Grade 8) and Espanola High School (Grades 9 to 12). Trustees received a construction update at the Strategic Planning Committee meeting on June 9, 2015.

“We received Ministry of Education approval to maintain the existing footprint for the building, which means there will be more space for both schools,” said Director of Education Norm Blaseg.

He added: “This has provided greater flexibility in the design to accommodate students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 and Grades 9 to 12. Our goal is to maximize the use of space while ensuring that all students continue to have access to the best programming possible in quality school facilities.”

Grade 9 to 12 students will move into newly renovated facilities when classes resume this fall. The secondary portion of the revitalization project includes four science labs, a welding shop, six new classrooms and an upgraded library. The main entrance, lobby, gym and parking area will be completed over the summer in time for school start up.

Renovations to accommodate A.B. Ellis Public School within the Espanola High School site will begin this summer, including work on the play area, and continue throughout the 2015-2016 school year.  Kindergarten to Grade 8 students will move into their new school in September 2016. Site work will be completed in the summer of 2016-2017.

November 27, 2014

Work is progressing on the revitalization of the Espanola High School site to accommodate two distinct schools – A.B. Ellis Public School (ELK to Grade 8) and Espanola High School (Grades 9 to 12).

Construction to relocate the students and staff from École secondaire catholique Franco-Ouest to another area within Espanola High School was completed over the summer.

We are currently renovating Espanola High School for Grades 9 to 12.  Work has begun on the library, science labs and shops. This part of the project is expected to be completed in the summer of 2015, a few more months than we had originally anticipated.

Construction of the new A.B. Ellis Public School is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2015. We expect students and staff to move into their new school after March break 2016, at the earliest. If we require more time, the move will occur for September.

May 2, 2014

Rainbow District School Board has received funding from the Ministry of Education to revitalize education in Espanola to accommodate two distinct schools, A.B. Ellis Public School (JK to Grade 8) and Espanola High School (Grade 9 to 12), on the Espanola High School site. Work will begin this summer with an anticipated completion date of the fall of 2015. See document below to view the funding announcement.

Details of the project, including architectural renderings, will be shared at a Public Information Session on Thursday, May 15, 2014 from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the gym at Espanola High School, 147 Spruce Street. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.

“We appreciated the input that we received from the Espanola community during the fall public information session and have incorporated many of the suggestions in our plans,” said Norm Blaseg, Director of Education for Rainbow District School Board.

“We welcome this opportunity to provide an update on the project as we move forward,” he added.  “Our goal is to maximize the use of space while ensuring that all students continue to have access to the best programming possible in quality school facilities.”

To view the presentation from the public information session held on May 15, 2014, see document below.

To access the minutes from the public information session held on May 15, 2014, see document below.

Creating a vision for the delivery of education in Espanola

November 1, 2013

For an update on the renewal of Espanola High School, see document below.

Rainbow District School Board held a public information session in Espanola on September 19, 2013 to create a vision for the renewal of the Espanola High School building as the future home of A.B. Ellis Public School (JK to Grade 8) and Espanola High School (Grade 9 to 12).

To view the presentation from the public information session, see document below.

To view the minutes of the public information session, see document below.

The Ministry of Education has encouraged area school boards to work together to address student accommodation needs in Espanola. Rainbow District School Board, the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario and the Huron-Superior Catholic District School Board are collaborating to determine how best to deliver education in English and in French.

“Providing the Board receives capital funding from the Ministry of Education, it plans to relocate A.B. Ellis Public School to the Espanola High School facility,” said Director of Education Norm Blaseg. “We invited the community to share with us what is important to them as we look to create two distinct schools at the Espanola High School site. The feedback that we received from the community will inform our planning as we move forward.”

Director Blaseg thanked the parents/guardians and community members who attended the public information session. “This presents an opportunity for us to ensure that all students continue to have access to the best programming possible in quality school facilities, reduce surplus space, and ensure the sustainability of existing programs and services for all students of the Board.”

To provide or obtain information, please email [email protected]


Sudbury Secondary Renewal

Schedule of Public Meetings

Public Meeting No. 1
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Sudbury Secondary School
Sheridan Auditorium
Sharing the data

Public Meeting No. 1 - September 12, 2007

Public Meeting No. 2
Wednesday October 3, 2007
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Sudbury Secondary School
Sheridan Auditorium
What is, what could be

Public Meeting No. 2 - October 3, 2007

Important Dates

November 12, 2007
The Advisory Committee submits a written School Renewal Report to the Board’s Administrative Council that includes findings and recommendations.

Monday December 17, 2007
Administrative Council presents the Advisory Committee School Renewal Report to the Board and the Administrative Council Renewal report to the Board.

Monday February 18, 2008
A final decision will be made by the Board.