One could describe it as a bit of summer school last weekend as students past and future dropped in at the former Fergus high school last weekend.
The July 26 open house offered the public a chance to view plans to turn the building into the new site of Emmanuel Christian High School.
The former Fergus high school at the corner of Tower Street and Belsyde Avenue was abuzz with activity, as former students shared stories of their exploits and younger students had a chance to visit the building before its transformation.
Emmanuel Christian High School principal Henk Noble was pleased with the turnout at the weekend event.
“We officially opened at 11am and before that people were lining up. A lot of interested people were showing up,” Noble said.
He explained the project is coming along quite well and noted part of the work includes removal of asbestos within the building.
Organizers are still in the midst of fundraising, with the overall goal of raising $4.7 million. Nobel estimated over $2 million has been raised since May.
“We’re quite excited,” he said, noting the goal is for classes to begin in September 2016.
Noble said plans are to add a new gymnasium, a new front entrance and office space while the existing classroom space will be refurbished and ready for use as a modern school.
While the current building is about 20,000 square feet, the additions will bring that up to 32,000 square feet and allow for a capacity of 330 students.
The new facility will provide an Ontario Ministry of Education accredited facility for grades 9 to 12.
Currently, about 180 students currently attend Emmanuel Christian High School from Owen Sound, Listowel, Orangeville, Elora, Grand Valley, Fergus and Guelph.
For the past decade the school, which is supported by the Reformed Church community, has shared space with Maranatha Christian School on Garafraxa Street in Fergus.
“Project Eagle’s Nest” is in place to raise funds to restore the 1928 building. Online donations can be made at www.ProjectNest.ca or cheques can be made to ECHS with “Project Eagle’s Nest” on the memo line.
Noble said members of the school would love to see any support from the community in helping to restore the local heritage building.
