Ritson School Project

Ritson Public Open Space Design Survey

Your ideas are essential to help shape the Ritson Public Open Space Design! Complete the Ritson Public Open Space Design Survey to help inform the direction of the open space character and features. This is an opportunity to share what you value, prefer and envision for the future Ritson public spaces. Participation in the survey is voluntary. LURA Consulting, a local independent consultant, will compile the results into a summary report. The survey will take approximately five minutes to complete, and all questions are optional. The survey will be open until August 29, 2025.

Request for Proposals

The Region of Durham is requesting proposals to design, build, finance, operate and maintain buildings containing between 175 and 200 rental housing units, with a minimum of 30 per cent affordable units through a long-term land lease with the Region. This is a unique opportunity to share in our vision by creating a vibrant new neighbourhood in central Oshawa. Please visit the Region of Durham’s bid opportunities website to download the application materials, at Bids and Tenders - Durham Region. The deadline to apply is 2 p.m. on October 9, 2025. Watch our video below for more details:

Summer update: Activity at the former Ritson School site

Residents may notice some activity around the former Ritson School building. 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 appreciate your patience and interest as this important community project moves forward.

Redevelopment of former Ritson Public School

Your voice matters!

Public consultation is the foundation of the redevelopment of the Ritson School Project. A virtual engagement session was held August 12, 2025, to share ideas for the public outdoor space next to the former school building. A recording of the session is available here (video includes autogenerated closed captions from the meeting):

The Ritson Public Open Space Design Survey is available until August 29, 2025, for residents to help inform the direction of the open space character and features. This is an opportunity to share what you value, prefer and envision for the future Ritson public spaces. Participation in the survey is voluntary. LURA Consulting, a local independent consultant, will compile the results into a summary report.

Last year, an online survey was available August 1 to September 11, 2024, to help inform the pedestrian-orientated 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:

• Envision Durham
• Durham Region 101
• At Home In Durham
• Master Housing Strategy
• City of Oshawa Official Plan
• Integrated Major Transit Station Area Study for Central Oshawa

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).

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.

Region of Durham Master Housing Strategy At Home in Durham