Town council defers decision on intent to designate former high school

A decision to further the designation of the property at 130 Sandwich St. S. under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act has been deferred.

A decision to further the designation of the property at 130 Sandwich St. S. under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act has been deferred.

Town council received a recommendation to state its intention to designate the former General Amherst High School property as a heritage property but elected officials voted to get a report instead.

The former high school was originally opened in 1922 with several additions having been added on during its 100 years as a school. It is now owned by the Valente Development Corporation and company president Peter Valente appeared before council with concerns and input on the matter.

Valente is proposing to turn the former high school into a multi-unit residential and commercial development. Mayor Michael Prue said in designation processes, the affected property owner can speak to the matter.

Valente told town council the conversation “is not about disrespecting history.”

“Our community values its past. We appreciate the memories, stories and generations of students who walked through the halls of General Amherst,” said Valente. “The question before us (at the March 9 meeting) is not about memories. The question is whether designating this property as a heritage site is the best decision for the future of our community.”

Calling heritage designation “a powerful tool,” Valente said when used appropriately, such designations protects buildings with unique architectural significance or truly irreplaceable cultural heritage.

“When applied too broadly, it can unintentionally freeze land in time, prevent renewal and create opportunities that communities desperately need,” said Valente.

Valente said the former high school is meaningful to many people emotionally but is not a rare architectural landmark.

“It’s not a building that represents a unique or irreplaceable piece of Ontario’s built heritage,” he said. “Schools like it have existed across the province for decades.”

The land can be reinvested with an eye to the future, with Valente stating there are housing shortages across Ontario. “Communities need modern spaces that meet today’s needs,” said Valente. “When a site like this become locked under heritage designation, redevelopment becomes extremely difficult, expensive and sometimes impossible. The result is often the worst outcome of all – a building that sits vacant, deteriorates and contributes nothing to the community around it.”

Valente added communities grow when they allow “thoughtful change.”

“Progress does not erase history, it builds upon it,” he said.

General Amherst High School can be honoured in many ways, Valente continued, suggesting plaques, public art, archival preservation or incorporating elements in the future development. 

Council was urged to consider the long-term consequences of designation, with Valente saying there are few architectural features with are valued heritage component. He noted eastern elevations were demolished during renovations, a front door and porch was removed from the original building. Windows have been altered and the condition of additions have taken away from the façade of the building.

“The façade, when you closely observe it, is crumbling,” he told town council.

The south facade of the former General Amherst High School, as seen March 16, 2026.

Plans that have been submitted to the town require access to Laird Ave., with Valente stating two murals will be demolished. He offered to donate the murals to the town.

The original drawings have been found and Valente said they would rebuild the south façade as it was in 1922 with original limestone part of the rebuild. He told town council he found about an intention to designate after his company bought the property.

Councillor Linden Crain wanted to know how the offer regarding the murals and the rebuild of the façade could be enforced. 

Valente said had the town gone ahead with putting town hall in the building, that would have helped with the preservation of the façade. He added he never thought the façade should be saved.

“I don’t think it has any architectural value,” said Valente. “It’s not W.D. Lowe. It’s not Kennedy high school. It was not a fancy building. It was built for $68,000.”

Valente added if it were an architectural gem, he’d be the first to want to save it “but it’s not.” He said he was never OK with an intent to designate,

“It can be done better brand new, it can be done simpler. It will allow the development to proceed without any complications of bracing the structure and building a new building around it,” said Valente.

Councillor Diane Pouget said the intent to designate the building took her by surprise and wanted to know if the 1922 building could be designated.

Councillor Peter Courtney said he is proponent of preserving history but voiced support for Valente. 

Courtney added he liked historical materials could be implemented in the new development.

“This is a massive undertaking. Very few individuals and companies can buy a school of this size and transform it into whatever you want to do,” he told Valente. “The last thing I want to do is have you go ‘there’s nothing I can do right now.’”

The memories are in photos and in the hallways, said Courtney. 

“The history has been documented. It is there,” said Courtney.

The only thing that is 100-years-old is the original section, with it being a “piecemeal” structure that was created when it was expanded over the years.

McArthur wanted clarification over designation, stating he was correct in his belief that council has “care and control” over what happens to the building if it is designated. Heritage planner Adam Coates added there are a list of attributes on the building, with a heritage impact assessment needed should alterations be made to the building under a designation.

Coates told council that under current provincial legislation, properties have to be designated by the end of this year or they fall off of a properties of interest list. If a developer comes forward, heritage attributes are studied to ensure elements are saved, reconstructed or "treated appropriately."

Pouget said she was in favour of preserving the 1922 building but could not block a developer trying to develop homes in that area.

“We’re putting all kinds of roadblocks in his way,” he said. 

The 1922 and 1951 facades and the murals are the items being impacted most by a potential designation.

Deputy Mayor Chris Gibb wanted to know if council intends to protect identified heritage attributes, whether Valente could appeal to council if there are disagreements with the heritage planner. Coates said for large projects like this, council would be the final approval authority for heritage alteration permits.

Coates added he has regularly had positive conversations with Valente and his team, though there were concerns earlier in the meeting as to whether Valente was properly notified of heritage committee meetings. He added there are no protections of the property if it is not designated by the end of the year.

Courtney said he doesn’t want to impede Valente and his company, but wanted to know if the town could secure the heritage components through other means. He noted Valente’s comments about incorporating heritage elements and materials in a new build.

“I like that,” he said. “I think that’s compromise.”

Courtney said he’s not ready to designate and is “a strong no,” preferring another way to solve the matter. 

Prue said his opinions were exactly opposite of Courtney and “will be the strongest yes you’ve ever heard.” The motion before council that night was not to designate but to show there is an interest in doing so.

It would be at least a year or two before the property would actually be designated and in the meantime, “lots of things are going to happen.” He said town might change its mind and believe that is the best place for the town hall or an office structure could also be built.

“In the meantime, we’re preserving the heritage aspect,” said Prue.

The mayor said people have had tears in their eyes when discussing preserving the high school. He noted the history of the school and those who worked there.

“My God no, don’t tear it down. Don’t even give the opportunity the opportunity to tear it down,” said Prue.

Prue urged the town to work with Valente but to put the “safeguards” in place. He said during his time on Heritage Toronto, that group saved several facades in the process. He said “it’s still my dream” to put town hall in the building, acknowledging a report is going to come back on the matter. He hopes by Jan. 1, 2027, there is a solution to saving the heritage attributes of the building.

“This is an amazing proposal that started out and it can be an amazing proposal again, with our without us. It can only be an amazing proposal again if the people of this town who cherish that building and have memories of that building recognize it,” he said. “It’s ours and it’s the one everyone in this town recognizes and wants to save.”

Crain made the motion to defer it until the April 13 meeting, is with the hope to get more information and what a happy medium could be.

“I’d like more information so I could make a more informed decision,” said Crain.

Courtney said he liked the motion to defer the matter and he wanted more information from both sides of the issue.

“I just want to make sure something happens on that property,” he said.

Pouget stated she also supported deferral, but she added the vote on the town hall issue was something she wanted more input on.

“We only had two choices – the town hall with a library or the town hall with a theatre. We didn’t have a choice of just the town hall. I think that should have been explored,” said Pouget. “But we just had the two choices, council voted against it, and it’s really unfortunate.”

Town council defers decision on intent to designate former high school

By Ron Giofu