Cobourg taking a look at uses for Thomas Gillbard school

By Northumberland News

Friday, December 20, 2002

COBOURG – The future of Thomas Gillbard School will rest in the hands of a new committee determined to revive the once thriving downtown school.

“The school is a significant piece of property, from an architectural, heritage and educational point of view,” Mayor Peter Delanty said. “We hope that we will see it flourish and be a focal point in our community again. We are at the brainstorming stage for ideas.”

The committee has discussed turning Thomas Gillbard into a centre for theatre arts or a place for culinary training programs. Placing a Learning Through the Arts Program for children with learning disabilities has also been raised.

“We would like Thomas Gillbard to be an educational centre for the town in some capacity,” added Joe Sheffer, Town Community Development director and committee member. “Support from various components of the community will be needed for whatever might go in there.”

Brenda Liston-Hanley of Sir Sanford Fleming College and five other local citizens sit with Mr. Sheffer and Mayor Delanty on the Ad Hoc Committee. The committee was endorsed by Cobourg council Monday but does not have an official name yet.