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Live Construction Camera The Republic Project is now 75% sold. Construction on The Republic condominums and North Toronto Collegiate Institute started on November 19th, 2007. TDSB, NTCI and Tridel are having a Groundbreaking event on Wednesday, November 21st on the grounds of NTCI. |
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Collaboration
The Toronto District School Board, North Toronto Collegiate Institute and Canada’s largest Condominium builder, Tridel have forged a historic alliance in an effort to build a new school. According to TDSB Trustee Josh Matlow, this collaboration is being hailed as a future model for constructing more schools. Built in 1912, NTCI has a rich history of striving for excellence when it comes to education, culture and sports. According to principal Joel Gorenkoff, a brand new state of the art school will propel existing programs to a whole new level.
Over the last four years the TDSB has pursued a very rigorous and detailed process in order to redevelop NTCI. A historic first, in June of 2004, the TDSB and representatives from the Sherwood Ratepayers Association entered into a Memorandum of Understanding .This ensured community involvement right from the start. Shortly after, the TDSB released a Request for Proposal seeking a development partner. As part of the deal, the TDSB would sell two surplus parcels of land to a developer and have them build the school. Canada’s largest condominium builder Tridel was chosen out of ten submissions.
According to Peter Baker of the Sherwood Ratepayers Association the building of the new school would not have been possible without this unique collaboration. It is an alliance that has seen massive input from all stakeholders including students on how they would like to see their school designed.
Adjacent to the school Tridel will be building two condominiums known as “The Republic”. President of Tridel, Leo DelZotto says community response has been overwhelming. Seventy-five percent of the building has been sold and construction will begin six months earlier than anticipated.
The proposed NTCI facility is aiming for LEED Gold making it one of the most environmentally friendly schools in Canada. It’s only fitting that Canada’s largest developer was picked to construct the school since Tridel has been pioneer in building green. The new school will be equipped with a state of the art theatre and a football field.