Future takes shape for historic Alton Schoolhouse as Council greenlights plan

April 23, 2026 · 0 Comments

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Historic Alton School House has stood empty for numerous years, waiting for its next venture, and now Caledon Council has approved the next steps.

At the April 21 Planning and Development Meeting, it was unanimously approved that the Town undertake a plan based on a broad vision and purpose for the School House to be reused as a recreation and culture centre with a heritage museum component.

It was moved that Council direct staff to negotiate a nominal lease-to-own agreement, transfer for one dollar, with the Peel District School Board or the Province of Ontario, if applicable, for a minimum of ten years, with options to extend.

A Staff Report first stated that once the updated costing of the estimated renovation costs was completed, Staff would return with a report. However, following delegations from the community and Council discussion, a motion was brought forward by Councillor Lynn Kiernan to expedite one of the presented options.

Steve Hertzberg, a member of the Historic Alton School House Committee, was one of the residents to delegate,

He said the schoolhouse has deep roots in the community, and that it should be repurposed for the community to use.

Hertzberg took Council and those sitting in that gallery that day on a walk down memory lane, showcasing the school it once was, but also the future of what the schoolhouse could be.

Their vision is to see the schoolhouse as a meeting space for all to thrive through a variety of quality programs and services, also with a heritage museum component.

“Concerns are rising about the lack of Town recreation and culture programming in West Caledon, and many residents are becoming aware of the mission to renovate the landmark building,” said Hertzberg. “As a result, there is a Save Our Schoolhouse campaign that has started to build awareness of the potential for the schoolhouse.”

But this isn’t the first time the community has gotten involved in the initiative.

In July of 2023, a motion to Council, following a presentation by a community group, was made directing Staff to explore the development of a lease arrangement with the school board.

He added they were disappointed to see the report come forward that day with yet another delay, and touched on numerous reasons for Caledon to expedite the process.

“The delays from this recommendation could result in missing the application window for the federal funding program,” he explained. “Further, positive attitudes at the Peel Board for land transfer may change if we wait too long, and impacts of PAMA’s demise on Caledon’s history preservation add an urgency to move forward now.”

Numerous members of the public also delegated that with Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA) soon to be taken over by Brampton, this serves as the perfect opportunity for there to be a museum specifically dedicated to Caledon.

With the land transfer also comes the issue of the septic system. In the report it was stated that if the Town were to pursue the transfer of the School House, then the Town could investigate if only a new septic system for the School House would be required, and that additional Town lands would be required to accommodate the new separate septic system for the School House.

“A complication to the land transfer was, and still is, that the board needs to be the overall landowner to deal with two buildings using one septic system. Once they are on separate septic systems, the land transfer can take place,” Hertzberg said, adding that they urged Council to expedite the resolution of the septic system by 2027.

Sarah Bohan, President of the Belfountain Heritage Society, touched on their restoration of the historic Melville White Church.

“Once restored, the Melville White Church has become a hub for community activity. So, I submit that the same would happen to the historic Alton Schoolhouse,” says Bohan.

In discussion, Councillors expressed their support for celebrating culture and heritage within the community, noting that Ward 1 in the official plan is identified for enhanced tourism, making this a fitting opportunity.

With the approved motion Staff will report back to Council within three months, or sooner, with updated costs, funding opportunities, and recommended next steps for the historic schoolhouse.

The motion will come forward for final ratification at the April 28 Town Council meeting.