New Addition Underway At Sydenham High School

Mar 07, 2013

Construction has begun on a new addition to Sydenham High School, a project that has been in the works for a number of years.

The 14,000 square foot addition, which was designed by H.M. Sardinha Architect Inc. and is being built by David J. Cupido Construction Ltd., will be located on the west side of the building. It will include four brand-new components: a new gym facility; a hospitality area that will include an industrial kitchen, serving area and an attached classroom; a new drama room equipped with a mini stage and auditorium seating; and a new computer lab. The addition required the purchase of some older homes on the site, which have since been torn down. This winter the land was excavated and presently the new footings have been put in place.

Years ago the need for more space was recognized due to overcrowding in the school’s athletics programming and physical health and education classes. There was also a need for updated classrooms in order to keep the student curriculum current. Principal Jessica Silver further explained that need when I interviewed her by phone earlier this week. She said, “Sydenham High School has a strong focus on healthy and active living. These new facilities will benefit both students and staff by allowing expanded programming in these areas. The addition will also bring with it exciting new opportunities for both students and staff by making possible expanded programming for students in all grades in advanced hospitality, and in the health and wellness specialist high skills major programs. We here at Sydenham are a very technology-based school and really excel in those areas, so the new addition will allow us to build on the already strong programming that we are currently offering here at the school.”

Silver added that the new facilities will also benefit the community at large. “We have a very strong community backing us and these new facilities will allow us to be able to bring the community into the school. For example, we will be able to share the new drama space with various community members and community partners as well as with the students and staff at the Loughborough Public School.”

Asked about any negatives that could go along with expanding the school’s foot print, Silver said she foresaw none. “Students and staff are very excited about the new addition and see it as something brand new to build on. I suppose the only negative is that these things take time.” Silver said that construction of the new facility should be completed sometime in the 2013/14 school year.