Architects will present a new Connaught school design on Dec. 18, time and place to be confirmed. This is not a consultation meeting, but rather will be a presentation of a “single concept (schematic) that will be pursued by the architects,” the Connaught SCC reports. Two very similar-looking design concepts were circulated via an online survey in October and November. Both designs involved large-footprint buildings (although roughly the same square footage as the former structure), with an expanded parking lot fronting 13th Avenue – raising concerns about loss of play space and community space, as well as lack of adherence to the Official Community Plan. The interior concept looks basically like other Regina Public new school designs. How and if community input is incorporated into the final design remains to be seen.

In other Connaught news, residents have noted that school zone signs have been removed from around the former site. As well, community volunteers spent two weekends in November recovering the building’s heritage materials from the city dump, and have started a group dedicated to the responsible recycling of Connaught bricks and stonework. You can look at some of the recycling materials and ideas at https://www.facebook.com/groups/817343334970756/  For information about the environmental cost of school demolitions, visit the School Retrofitting Section of RealRenewal’s environment page.