Design plans for a new French immersion school in Windsor have been approved.
The city's Planning, Heritage and Economic Development Standing Committee approved the revamped plans for the old International Playing Card building at a meeting Tuesday night.
The Greater Essex County District School Board purchased the property at 1123 Mercer St. with plans to tear down the building, but then the city designated it a heritage property, which meant it couldn't be demolished.
As a result, the public school board's design plans for the new school kept heritage features of the building for the new Giles Campus school.
Photo courtesy of Greater Essex County District School Board
Committee member, Ward 7 councillor Irek Kusmierczyk, says the updated plans keep the heritage features intact for the new school. "It's nothing short of spectacular and I think it's a lesson for a lot of folks, including myself, out there that we can absolutely build a modern building and maintain the heritage and historical value of the community. So again, that was a great lesson for me.
The Ministry of Education has approved $15-million for the building and the property.
The school is expected to have capacity of about 600 students and will replace the Giles Campus School which is located at the former Lowe Secondary School.
The matter still has to go to city council for final approval.
Former International Playing Card Company on Mercer Street (Photo courtesy of Google Maps)