The trustees of the Rainbow District School Board will soon be reviewing a proposal for saving AB Ellis Public School in Espanola.
Rainbow Community Non-Profit Housing spokesperson Fred Yackman and consultant Angela Roy presented the board with their findings last night demonstrating the feasibility of the vacant school building being converted into housing for senior and low-income residents.
Yackman says the feasibility study carried out by Roy shows the viability of conversion to housing units.
He told the trustees they have applied for a planning grant but need the board to put the motion on hold to demolish the school and turn it into a parking lot before moving forward.
He emphasizes they want to work with the board on a common meeting ground including negotiations for the property, which he says is owned by the taxpayers of Espanola, who he says were not properly consulted about the disposal of the property when the board moved students into the shared space at Espanola High.
Board chair Doreen Dewar told Yackman the trustees will have to meet and discuss the proposal and will respond to the requests in the near future.
The presentation made by the corporation to the board.