The Save AB Ellis Public School committee believes a minimum of 30 apartments can be constructed in the school, and that still leaves plenty of room for more.
Committee member, Gary Clackett, says there is radiant heat throughout the school as well as water access, so retrofitting and redesigning the apartments would not be as difficult as other projects.
The committee plans to go to Parry Sound to see a similar project where a school has been retrofitted to accommodate supportive housing for seniors and low income residents.
As for the building inspector’s demands that several studies be done including complete structural, mechanical, engineering and architectural reports, the results would likely assist the group in proving the viability of the structure.