Former SCITS high school BlackburnNews.com file photo.Former SCITS high school BlackburnNews.com file photo.
Sarnia

History Buffs Worried About SCITS Building

The Sarnia Historical Society and Sarnia Heritage Committee are worried about the future of the former Sarnia Collegiate Institute and Technical School [SCITS] building once it's vacated by the school board.

The groups are asking city council to consider identifying the property at 275 Wellington St. as a candidate for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act Monday.

Mayor Mike Bradley says it's a very complicated process.

"There's a lot of other issues to this," says Bradley. "The school board has expressed concern that it may hurt the marketability of the property. There's a whole debate about whether this does or not. That debate needs to take place. But, this is a very long process. This will go on into next year and one of the reasons is, is because the school board -- because of their situation -- has not declared the property surplus."

The closure of the school continues to be delayed with work at Great Lakes Secondary School on Murphy Rd. taking longer than planned.

The Lambton Kent District School Board said last month students will not be moving to the former St. Clair site in time for the upcoming school year, because of a shortage of skilled trade workers.

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