Council Receives Updates on Next Steps in Public Engagement Process for Bateman Redevelopment Project

Burlington City Council received an update from staff on the next steps in the ongoing communications and engagement process for the redevelopment project of the former Robert Bateman High School site.Council also directed the Director of Corporate Communications and Engagement and the Director of Recreation, Community and Culture to execute the communications and engagement tactics included as Appendix A or recreation, community and culture department reportRCC-10-23 (see link below) -- with the next public engagement opportunities taking place this summer.MY TAKE:The engagement process on this file goes back as far as the decision to close the school in 2018. The community, at that time, repeatedly asked Council and the City to keep this space in service of our community and, even better, if a portion of it could remain for educational purposes. This is exactly what this Council is delivering over last term and continuing into this term with the Bateman redevelopment project.We have been engaging with the community for the better part of 6-7 years on this property, during every step of the process. We would not be engaging the community on how to use a space that we didn’t own — and that process of owning the property was a long one. The vision for this space has been known for a very long time. When this project is complete, we will have the largest community space – by three times – of what we currently have in our city.

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To read the staff report and related supporting documents, please click/tap the links below:

• Staff report: RCC-10-23 Former Robert Bateman High School - Communication and Engagement Update 
• Appendices:
  • RCC-10-23 Appendix A - Former Bateman Communications and Engagement plan (May 2023).pdf
  • RCC-10-23 Appendix B - Former Bateman Floor Plans (May 2023).pdf

BACKGROUND:The City of Burlington has purchased the former Robert Bateman High School building and site. With sustainability and community-building in mind, the City of Burlington is repurposing the existing Robert Bateman High School into a City-owned, multi-purpose community-focused asset that will align with the City’s objective of being net-zero carbon by 2040. The reuse and conversion of the former secondary school will have extensive interior renovations including renewal of all major building systems and exterior site and building modifications required to support the intended community uses.When the renovation is complete, tenants including Brock University, Burlington Public Library, Halton District School Board, Tech Place and City of Burlington will move into the building and begin offering services. There is currently parking, a small woodlot associated with the adjacent Appleby Creek Valley and a track with a football field (inside the track) located on the site. The building and property will remain in public ownership. In addition to the existing pool and gymnasiums and the new enhanced common areas of the building there will be approximately 21,000 square feet of new dedicated community recreation space and approximately 9,000 square feet of temporary recreation space that do not have defined uses at this time and that would form part of Phase 2 of the project.