Ritson School Project

Residents are invited to join a virtual engagement session on August 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., to learn more about the Ritson School Project, ask questions and explore ideas for the public outdoor space next to the school building.


July update: Activity at the former Ritson School site

Residents may notice some activity around the former Ritson School building this month. In early July, a consultant team will be onsite conducting an archaeological assessment as part of the early planning process for the site’s future use. In addition, remedial work will begin outside the former school building, including bracing of the exterior façade to ensure safety and stability as planning continues. We expect this work will take up to two weeks to complete.

We appreciate your patience and interest as this important community project moves forward.


Redevelopment of former Ritson Public School

The vision for the Ritson School Project will see the renovation of the former elementary school building to be used for community programs that meet the current and future needs of residents in the surrounding neighbourhoods and communities. The project will also examine the unused lands on the school property for opportunities to include mixed-use, sustainably-built housing.

As one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities, we’re committed to leading the way in sustainability and addressing climate change. The Region will look for opportunities with the renovation of the Ritson School Project to further our commitment to addressing sustainability in infrastructure design and construction.

Project Site

The original school structures were built in 1923 and 1928. The proposed site is located at 300 Ritson Road South, Oshawa, and has a site frontage of 415 feet on Ritson Road South and 544 feet on Huron Street. There is a former elementary school situated on the property that was operating until 2012. The existing building is a three-story structure of masonry, brick, and block construction.


Your voice matters!

Public consultation is the foundation of the redevelopment of the Ritson School Project. An online survey was available August 1 to September 11, 2024, to help inform the pedestrian-oriented open spaces of this project.

A virtual community engagement session was held on July 31, 2024 via Zoom for residents to learn about this project, ask questions, and explore ideas for the pedestrian-oriented open spaces. A recording of the session is available here:


Documents referenced in the session include the following:


The Region of Durham welcomed residents to help shape the vision of the Ritson School Project by attending the Community Engagement Drop-in Event on July 11, 2023 at Oshawa Public Library - McLaughlin Branch and completing an online survey, which closed on August 15, 2023. Local Oshawa business owners and community service providers were able to share their expertise and input on July 18, 2023 at workshops held at the Spark Centre (2 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa).

The Region of Durham continues to gather information and research, for the former Ritson School, to make recommendations for the site. Upcoming engagement sessions will be held to gather input; more information, including dates, will be announced soon. The recommendations and results of these studies will be brought for review to Regional Council and the public before the end of this year.


Everyone deserves a safe place to call home

In November 2020, Durham Regional Council approved the Master Housing Strategy and committed to the initiation of 1,000 new affordable rental/supportive housing units and to increase the supply of medium- to high-density housing across the Region of Durham.

Through the annual budget, the Region invests in our community to ensure that Durham is the best place in Ontario to live and work.

The Region of Durham provides a wide range of housing supports, programs, and services to a growing and diverse community of residents. If you are struggling or experiencing housing challenges, please reach out early for housing supports.

To learn more visit durham.ca/HousingSupports.

An image of the cover page for the Region of Durham Master Housing Strategy document, the cover shows a simple cartoon image of a variety of housing types with a green grassy neighborhood at the foreground and the Durham logo..Region of Durham Master Housing Strategy An image of the At Home in Durham: Durham Region Housing Plan 2014 -2024 cover page. The image shows a drawing of a variety of housing types in a neighbourhood with the title of the report in a large font with a blue background and the Durham logo.At Home in Durham

Residents are invited to join a virtual engagement session on August 12 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., to learn more about the Ritson School Project, ask questions and explore ideas for the public outdoor space next to the school building.


July update: Activity at the former Ritson School site

Residents may notice some activity around the former Ritson School building this month. In early July, a consultant team will be onsite conducting an archaeological assessment as part of the early planning process for the site’s future use. In addition, remedial work will begin outside the former school building, including bracing of the exterior façade to ensure safety and stability as planning continues. We expect this work will take up to two weeks to complete.

We appreciate your patience and interest as this important community project moves forward.


Redevelopment of former Ritson Public School

The vision for the Ritson School Project will see the renovation of the former elementary school building to be used for community programs that meet the current and future needs of residents in the surrounding neighbourhoods and communities. The project will also examine the unused lands on the school property for opportunities to include mixed-use, sustainably-built housing.

As one of Canada’s fastest-growing communities, we’re committed to leading the way in sustainability and addressing climate change. The Region will look for opportunities with the renovation of the Ritson School Project to further our commitment to addressing sustainability in infrastructure design and construction.

Project Site

The original school structures were built in 1923 and 1928. The proposed site is located at 300 Ritson Road South, Oshawa, and has a site frontage of 415 feet on Ritson Road South and 544 feet on Huron Street. There is a former elementary school situated on the property that was operating until 2012. The existing building is a three-story structure of masonry, brick, and block construction.


Your voice matters!

Public consultation is the foundation of the redevelopment of the Ritson School Project. An online survey was available August 1 to September 11, 2024, to help inform the pedestrian-oriented open spaces of this project.

A virtual community engagement session was held on July 31, 2024 via Zoom for residents to learn about this project, ask questions, and explore ideas for the pedestrian-oriented open spaces. A recording of the session is available here:


Documents referenced in the session include the following:


The Region of Durham welcomed residents to help shape the vision of the Ritson School Project by attending the Community Engagement Drop-in Event on July 11, 2023 at Oshawa Public Library - McLaughlin Branch and completing an online survey, which closed on August 15, 2023. Local Oshawa business owners and community service providers were able to share their expertise and input on July 18, 2023 at workshops held at the Spark Centre (2 Simcoe Street South, Oshawa).

The Region of Durham continues to gather information and research, for the former Ritson School, to make recommendations for the site. Upcoming engagement sessions will be held to gather input; more information, including dates, will be announced soon. The recommendations and results of these studies will be brought for review to Regional Council and the public before the end of this year.


Everyone deserves a safe place to call home

In November 2020, Durham Regional Council approved the Master Housing Strategy and committed to the initiation of 1,000 new affordable rental/supportive housing units and to increase the supply of medium- to high-density housing across the Region of Durham.

Through the annual budget, the Region invests in our community to ensure that Durham is the best place in Ontario to live and work.

The Region of Durham provides a wide range of housing supports, programs, and services to a growing and diverse community of residents. If you are struggling or experiencing housing challenges, please reach out early for housing supports.

To learn more visit durham.ca/HousingSupports.

An image of the cover page for the Region of Durham Master Housing Strategy document, the cover shows a simple cartoon image of a variety of housing types with a green grassy neighborhood at the foreground and the Durham logo..Region of Durham Master Housing Strategy An image of the At Home in Durham: Durham Region Housing Plan 2014 -2024 cover page. The image shows a drawing of a variety of housing types in a neighbourhood with the title of the report in a large font with a blue background and the Durham logo.At Home in Durham

Have a question about Durham's redevelopment of the Ritson School?

We want to hear from you.  Send us your questions about the Ritson School Redevelopment Project or check out our frequently asked questions to find out more. 

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Page last updated: 23 Jul 2025, 01:41 PM