City of Burlington Hosts Virtual Public Information Session & Q-and-A on Robert Bateman High School Proposals

Last night (May 31, 2022), the City of Burlington held a virtual public information session to continue sharing details related to the City’s proposed land transaction with the Halton District School Board (HDSB) and leasing arrangements with the HDSB and Brock University for the City’s planned acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School building and property.

City staff and representatives from Halton District School Board (HDSB) and Brock University were in attendance and available to answer questions from the public, including:

• City of Burlington:
  • Tim Commisso, City Manager
  • Allan Magi, Executive Director of Environment, Infrastructure & Community Services
  • Ron Steiginga, Realty Services
  • Kwab Ako-Adjei, Director of Corporate Communications & Engagement
  • Joan Ford, Chief Financial Officer
• HDSB:
  • Fred Thibeault, General Manager of Planning
  • Ian Gaudet, Executive Officer of Facility Services
• Brock University:
  • Lynn Wells, Interim President and Vice-Chancellor and Provost and Vice-President, Academic
  • Meaghan Rusnell, Associate Vice-President, Government Relations & Strategic Partnerships

Further down this post you will find a summary of the public presentation and Q-and-A’s that were asked and answered during the virtual meeting. Click here for additional FAQs. You can also view a copy of the presentation here: Robert Bateman High School Site Proposals Public Meeting Presentation_May 31 2022.

This will also be discussed at Monday’s (June 6) Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk & Accountability (CSSRA) Committee meeting and a final staff report and staff recommendations will come to Council on June 21. Information on how to delegate or share your feedback at either or both of these meetings is available further down this post under ‘Next Steps’.

MY TAKE:

Thank you to the community members who attended last night’s meeting – about 83 participants. Thanks also to City staff, representatives from HDSB and Brock, who attended to answer questions.

It was a great opportunity to provide all the information we can on this file, while recognizing the details of the transaction remain confidential to protect the public’s interest in securing the best deal.

Residents can attend the CSSRA committee June 6 to provide additional information. A final vote will be taken June 21, after which additional information will be made available to the community.

I fully support this deal as it will provide a new community centre — the largest in the city — along with additional uses. This is a city-wide asset for our growing community. For a previous statement I released, please click here.

Staff Presentation Summary

Robert Bateman High School Site Location:

• Located at 5151 New St., the site is 12.79 acres while the school itself is 212,270 sq. ft. (including Burlington Centennial Pool) — adjacent to Frontenac Park
• The building was originally constructed in 1969 with additions made in 1973 and 2004. The pool was renovated by the City in 2014
• The proposed conceptual block for the site would include HDSB leasing back a portion of the building; a Brock University campus on the second floor; an expanded Burlington Public Library branch; TechPlace; and a City community facility with access to a community gym, pool and meeting rooms. Once complete, these community uses will constitute the largest community centre in Burlington — with room left over for more groups.

Land Exchange with HDSB:

• Subject parcel (in red outline) would be 5 acres (+/-) on the west side of Burlington Central High School and include the existing football field and running track.
• This land exchange component will advance the City’s efforts to secure the Robert Bateman site in continued public ownership, ensuring that the Robert Bateman site is available for continued educational and community-oriented uses.
• In addition, the land exchange also lowers the immediate taxpayer impact by reducing the net purchase price — and that protects our existing parkland reserves so they are available for additional potential purchases of surplus school sites or parks anywhere else in the city that may come on the market in the future.

Surplus School Process Overview and Key Dates:

• Sale of school sites governed by O. Reg. 444/98: Disposition of Surplus Real Property and Acquisition of Real Property of the Education Act.
• June 23, 2021, HDSB announced that it has declared Robert Bateman H.S. surplus to its needs.
• June 24, 2021, the City announced that an expression of interest would be submitted to the HDSB to purchase the Robert Bateman site through a partnership with Brock University.
• July 13, 2021, the City submitted its expression to the Board.
• December 14, 2021, Council provided direction to staff to submit a formal offer to purchase the Robert Bateman H.S. site and funding for ongoing work such as a preliminary design.
• February 3, 2022, City Council endorsed next steps to advance the potential acquisition of the Robert Bateman H.S. site from the HDSB.
• February 9, 2022, offer from the City was accepted by the HDSB.
• May 17, 2022, City Council directed staff to engage residents on the Robert Bateman H.S. proposals.

Intentions as Part of Purchase:

• Land Component
  • City of Burlington transfers ownership of approximately five acres of City owned-land to the HDSB as part of a land exchange for the Robert Bateman site.
  • The City owned-land is located near Burlington Central High School and includes the high school football field and running track.
  • During school closure discussions several years ago, when Central was considered for closure, one of the issues raised was that the school board didn’t own all of the land/building or the field. This land exchange cleans that up and helps ensure this vital downtown school will stay open to serve residents.
• Lease Component
  • The City wants to secure leases with the HDSB and Brock University for portions of the Bateman Site.
  • The HDSB intends on leasing space back at Bateman for educational purposes.
  • Brock University also wants to lease space at Bateman for their long-term educational needs.
  • Both leases at Robert Bateman are expected to be long-term leases, 20 years or longer.

City of Burlington’s Needs:

• Direct Community investment in Long-Term City Building Initiative
• Achieve community recreation needs
  • Retain Centennial pool for community use
  • City control of gym, public greenspace
  • Provide new flexible programming areas (i.e. expanded City community center)
• Formal partnership with Brock University related to new campus location
• Relocation of Burlington Public Library – New Appleby Branch
• Relocation of TechPlace
• Create a sustainable signature community hub – focus on learning and active living
• A viable business model and final business plan

HDSB Needs:

• Dispose of the former Robert Bateman Facility.
• Retain a long-term interest at Robert Bateman to accommodate Gary Allan Learning Centre, in a right-sized-space.
• Continue to maintain a visible and continued presence in the Southeast Burlington area, and continue offering and operating important educational programs within the community, enhanced with other users in a community centre setting.
• Ownership of the football field and running track ensures the continued operation of Burlington Central High School by the HDSB for the foreseeable future.
• The outcome of this transaction addresses key objectives for the HDSB and the City by ensuring important educational and community programs continue to be offered within Burlington.

Brock University Needs:

• Brock intends to enter into a long-term lease for space at Robert Bateman in order to relocate our Hamilton Campus to Burlington.
• Brock would offer Teachers Education and Applied Disabilities Studies Programs.
• Brock will be developing Professional and Continuing Studies specifically to the needs of Burlington.
• This will allow us to strengthen our partnership with The City of Burlington.
• The Bateman location is attractive to Brock because of its proximity to the GO and public transportation as most of our students commute.

City of Burlington – Long-term Initiatives Related to Strategic Lands:

• Burlington Lands Partnership – long-term strategic approach focused on 3 major land-related priorities (Approved Council Report CM 1/21, October 6, 2021 report to CSSRA committee).
• Approved Council Direction on completing/developing a Surplus School Sites Review and Strategy (Report back in July 2022).
• Multi-year City of Burlington Community Investment Plan (Approved Council Report, April 6, 2022 report to CSSRA committee).
• Updated City of Burlington Strategic Land Policy – future consideration and development.

Next Steps:

• Upcoming Reports:
  • June 6, 2022, update to Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability committee on the engagement process underway
  • June 21, 2022, final report and recommendations to Council
• Future public reports on public process, design and tendering of construction and phasing (subject to final Council approval
• How to Delegate at Committee & Council:
  • Members of the public can send correspondence feedback and/or register to delegate (speak) at the June 6 CSSRA Committee or June 21 Council meetings by emailing clerks@burlington.ca or calling 905-335-7600, ext. 7481.

Q-and-A Summary

We’ve created an FAQ page with questions we’ve received in the Mayor’s Office and at the City of Burlington – you can view those by clicking here: FAQs on Robert Bateman High School Site Proposals.

Below are some of the new questions asked during the May 31 virtual public information session that are not covered by the above FAQ.

Can you please explain the statutory protocol that governs sale of property between municipalities and school boards?

• Any land that’s sold or intended to be sold by a school board must be declared surplus by the school board first. The land assets are circulated to a number of public agencies, such as other school boards, regional municipal governments, lower-tier municipal governments, who get a first change to submit a purchasing bid. No private entities can bid in this first round of circulation. This is governed by provincial government policy in an effort to keep public lands public.

What prevents the HDSB selling the land to a developer — can you promise the land swapped in this deal will never be sold to a developer?

• Representatives from the HDSB stated there are currently no foreseeable plans from the HDSB to sell these lands. If ever, in the future, they were to be declared surplus, the same process as with the Robert Bateman site would apply — essentially, municipalities getting a chance to place a purchasing bid before private entities.

The City has first right of refusal but given the land cost, where would the money come from?

• While specific costs still cannot be made public as the deal is not yet finalized, City staff noted the land exchange is affordable to the City of Burlington. When the City is looking at acquiring new assets, or at greatly enhancing current assets, it first looks at development charges and park dedication — these are funds that the City receives as a municipality. This helps to ensure growth-related costs are funded by new growth. The building cost will be made public after the deal is finalized and the City will have a business plan outlining the financing recommendations for that — this will also include ongoing operating costs. The City is looking strategically at growth to pay for these costs and where not possible, the City will outline how it will be financed. These details would be made public.

Where does everyone park (at the Bateman location)?

• There is currently a lot of parking around the building site and enough capacity to accommodate the proposed main tenants. There are a number of parking options that can be explored, if and when needed. Parking is also dependent on the uses on the site – there is presently enough parking capacity to meet the current uses identified for the site right now. For any additional uses on the site, the City will have to determine what the additional parking needs are and include options with how those needs will be addressed.

What is classified as a long-term lease?

• Representatives from Brock University noted that it is interested in a 20-year lease for the site with a possibility for renewal.

What is the likely time frame for a land transfer and sale to be completed?

• City staff noted the intended closing is September 2022.

What is the appraised value of the two parcels of land?

• Those details cannot be made public at this time as the deal has not yet been finalized. However, City staff noted and confirmed that land appraisals from all parties have taken place and the process has been fair, as well, that the City’s intention is to get fair market value.

What is the intended use in terms of the community space?

• City staff noted that everything under the second floor Brock University campus would be available to the City for community use. While the conceptual block plan may not show it, there is a lot more space under the second floor.

What percentage of the building is Brock University interested in?

• Brock University representatives noted that based on initial discussions, they would be looking at 15-20% of the site.

Why is the final report going to Council and not committee — is this to avoid public comment on the recommendations?

• Information and details have been announced publicly, and at committee and Council (with opportunities for the public to provide feedback) since June 23, 2021 when the HDSB announced that it had declared Robert Bateman H.S. surplus to its needs.
• The CSSRA Committee meeting on Monday (June 6) is an opportunity to for individuals to further provide their comments and feedback in public. This is not a new item that is only coming to Council this month.
• The intent from City staff on June 21 is to get direction from Council to complete the deal and lease agreements.

What are the proposals to manage the influx of traffic to the area and are there proposals to increase public transportation between the GO station and the site?

• As demands and needs are assessed, City Transportation Department staff will evaluate.

What will happen to the Gary Allen property?

• HDSB representatives noted that the board currently has no plans for the future of the Gary Allen property – there are still administrative uses currently in that building.

What about the asbestos removal at Robert Bateman and the associated costs?

• City staff noted they are cognizant of asbestos in building as it is an older facility (built in 1969) and has done its due diligence in putting together a plan to remove it. This will be included in the final costing for the project.

We really need space for day programs for our special needs adults as well as our seniors. Is this in the plan for Bateman?

• City staff noted they will be canvassing and looking at the needs of the community and uses for this site — a focus will be on what facilities are needed in our city. This will be a public process with an engagement component attached to that.

Both Central schools are listed as “A” properties on the Burlington Heritage Register – would the City and the HDSB consider designating both schools as Designated Heritage Properties under the terms of the Ontario Heritage Act? Thereby providing some level of protection against either school being demolished.

• The City staff noted they will look into this and address that.
• HDSB representatives also noted the board will take this back, exploring what the implications might be and have discussions on this with the City.

RELATED LINKS:

• FAQs on Robert Bateman High School Site Proposals
• Mayor’s Statement: Update on Robert Bateman High School Site Proposals