Ritson School Project

In December, you might see some drilling activity at 300 Ritson. This is part of our ongoing site assessment and planning efforts. The drilling is necessary to gather information about the soil and groundwater conditions. Remediation and planning work continues as we prepare for future construction.

Redevelopment of former Ritson Public School

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 to help inform the pedestrian-oriented open spaces of this project.

A virtual community engagement session was held on July 31 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

Last year, 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.

Region of Durham Master Housing Strategy At Home in Durham