As residents near the former St. Michael’s school remain averse to its development site, the District of Rainy River Services Board (DRRSB) says planning will go ahead and reiterates the need for more housing in the North, now more than ever.
DRRSB is one of the 10 District Social Services Administration Boards (DSSABs) in Ontario. It previously went under the name Rainy River District Social Services Board (RRDSSAB) until a change in the summer of 2023. DSSABs operate to provide various social services in northern regions of the province, often focusing on children’s services and affordable housing projects.
The future of the now-empty elementary school at Fifth and Frenette has been hotly debated in the town since the services board purchased the property in 2021 with the intent to build housing units.
It wasn’t long after that that residents voiced their disapproval of the schoolyard’s green space being built upon, starting a long string of petitions, letters and meetings with the goal of halting the project.
Despite the local opposition, the project has continued to move forward, although planning remains in an exploratory stage. As it stands, the units planned for the site are expected to cater to mixed situations ranging from single-person rental units to family homes.
“We know that we are going to provide housing to a variety of demographic groups like families with children, professionals and seniors,” DRRSB Director of Community Services Faisal Anwar told The Times.
“We are trying to bring a mixed kind of housing which can be a better fit for that area as well as for this community. Basically, what we are trying to do is create an ecosystem to support economic development through housing and childcare services, because these are the two major barriers to attracting a workforce into the community.”
Playground debacle
Disapproval of the development project surged into anger when the playground structure, which was paid for and built by locals and the Knights of Columbus 36 years ago, was torn down in early June 2025.
“It was probably the busiest play structure in Fort Frances,” said Richard Boileau, who lives close to the former school.
“They tore it down because it couldn’t get certified. They said they didn’t know who to talk to about getting it certified. But the principal who was at the school the year it was discontinued knew; all they had to do was ask. They just didn’t want to. We even volunteered to pay the fee, but they wouldn’t have anything to do with it. They wanted one less obstacle in their way of going forward with their project.”
According to the services board, the structure was not removed to facilitate development but rather due to liability issues.
“The equipment was 35 years old,” DRRSB Chief Administrative Officer Charene Gillies said. “We were in contact with the playground manufacturing company; what we were told is generally 10 to 15 years of use. It was not designed for 35 years of use. In terms of the equipment itself, it was not considered safe. But more importantly, the property is not monitored.”
“We don’t have staff that monitor that property. Our insurance carrier also indicated that we carry a risk by having a play structure on a property that we aren’t maintaining or monitoring.”
Although the presence of outdated play equipment did create possible insurance issues for the services board that justified its immediate removal, it would have been taken out regardless before any construction started.
“We just felt that the risk was too high to continue to leave the structure there,” Gillies said. “It was a liability issue, but at the same time, I don’t want to hide from the fact that we purchased the property with the intent of building housing.”
Shortly before the playground was removed, DRRSB made the announcement, along with a public apology in the form of a media release.
“This playground—originally installed through the care and generosity of local families and the Knights of Columbus more than 30 years ago—has long been a space of connection, joy, and shared community history. We acknowledge that the way this information reached the public did not honour that legacy. We deeply regret the distress this caused. Please know that this level of disrespect was never our intent,” DRRSB Communications Advisor Heather Latter wrote in the release.
“The decision to remove the playground was not made lightly. While the site was not part of DRRSB’s operational programs, its removal was delayed in recognition of its community value. As part of our planning, we had intended to first communicate directly with the Knights of Columbus and local residents most closely connected to the space. Unfortunately, the situation unfolded differently, and we recognize the impact that had on the community.”
Loss of greenspace
“How many signatures do you really need on a petition to be heard?” was a question posed by long-time resident Marie Brady during the Fort Frances Town Council meeting on June 22.
Brady made a presentation on behalf of a group of citizens, voicing concerns about the impact that losing the schoolyard’s green space would have on the community. She also emphasized that they are not opposed to having affordable housing in the neighbourhood, and that their concern is strictly with losing the yard being developed on.
“We fully recognize and support the importance of accessible and affordable housing within our community,” she said. “However, we believe that the current proposed location is not appropriate or ideal due to the significant and lasting impact it would have on one of the few remaining shared natural spaces available to the residents of Fort Frances.”
Brady added that the yard currently offers an important recreational asset, giving children and adults alike a place to relax or enjoy outdoor activities. “Its removal would permanently reduce access to open space for families, seniors and children.”
DRRSB was called upon by Brady, representing the group of residents, to search for alternative spots.
Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas noted that the land is private property and any decision regarding its future would not lie with the town’s administration.
“This might not be a popular thing to say, but this is really not within the jurisdiction of the town of Fort Frances,” Hallikas said.
“That property was sold by a willing seller to a willing buyer, so it’s now private property, and the town of Fort Frances can’t really interfere with anyone, including yourself or any of the people here, with what they do on their property.”
Hallikas advised the group to plan a meeting to discuss the issue with DRRSB.
Gillies told The Times a week following the council remarks that they had not yet heard from any residents to request a meeting. “There has been no direct request of the DSSAB Board at this point.”
Project updates
The development of Fifth and Frenette is still in its early phases of most aspects of the project, according to Gillies. Style, number and costs of units are still being explored and any determination will depend on building costs.
“At the end of the day, we know there’s a housing need across the North, and we know that building in the North is expensive,” Gillies said. “As a DSSAB, we are funded through taxpayer dollars, whether it be from the province or from municipalities. We know that to meet the housing need without some additional support, it will be very difficult to move forward.”
Earlier in the year, the goal had been to build housing on the schoolyard area and convert the existing building into a daycare. This plan has since been scrapped due to strikingly high costs to complete renovations.
“We went through a feasibility study through the fall, and the estimate that the board received a couple of months ago was about $11.3 million to renovate the school and put in up to 75 childcare spaces,” Gillies said. “We had about $2 million from the province.”
“That was $11.3 million without any hazardous material abatement, so that part was unknown.”
The DRRSB is now looking at other ways to expand childcare locally, recognizing that the renovation of the former school building is not feasible.
Gillies said there aren’t more details on the project available at the time, given the early stages of the project, but as they become known, they will be shared publicly.
