The CSSRS buys a building for $1 on rue de l’Ontario

According to the deed of sale, the transaction was formalized at the end of December.

The building was previously owned by the Champlain Regional College, which itself purchased it from the Commission scolaire catholique de Sherbrooke, the ancestor of the CSSRS, in January 1982.

The sale between the two public schools was made at the price of one dollar.

The CSSRS had already been using these premises on rue de l’Ontario for four or five years for francization courses for adults, indicates the secretary general and director of the Communications Department, Donald Landry.

“When we had the discussion with Champlain and they told us they no longer needed it, we made the decision to buy it. It was really in the context of francization.”

However, the CSSRS plans were disrupted as francization groups were drastically reduced in recent months due to government cuts.

At the end of January, only one room will be occupied in this building and 17 students will be able to resume French studies.

By purchasing this building, the organization wanted the building to remain in the school environment and not fall into the hands of private investors.

“It needs some love, but it’s an interesting building. We do not know how francization will evolve, how adult education will evolve, but in the foreseeable future, it will be linked to the service offering of the Saint-Michel Center,” underlines Mr. Landry.

In the more distant future, this building could also be useful in meeting space needs, thinks Mr. Landry. “In several years, if the file for the new secondary school does not move forward quickly enough, if there is a lack of modular classrooms, will we not have to use certain spaces? I’m not saying it can’t happen, but it’s not in the cards.”

The CSSRS also expects a resumption of francization courses on a larger scale in August.

“For the Service Center, to have a valve or an expansion capacity, it’s really very good in the context,” he summarizes.