No buyers for old high school

Old Fort Frances High School on First Street East has yet to attract a new owner after being on the open market since early December.
“We’ve had a number of people interested, and they toured through the building, but we haven’t had an offer on it yet,” said Warren Hoshizaki, director of education with the Rainy River District School Board.
Due to a policy of confidentiality, details on perspective buyers won’t be released prior to a sure sale.
Mayor Glenn Witherspoon noted the town would like to see something done with the property, and has been supportive of any possible buyers.
“Basically, there’s nothing that I can tell you at this time. But I have fielded a few questions on zoning permits and the like,” he remarked.
And the mayor said he felt good things would happen sooner or later.
“Things happen in a strange way. One minute, it’s quiet, then ‘boom,’ a developer comes in,” he noted. “I anticipate that, if not this summer, then next summer someone will pick it up.”
The property was declared surplus by the board last spring after it was certain the new high school would be ready for students in September.
“We wanted to get it out on the open market as quick as possible,” noted Hoshizaki.
But first, the board had to let other groups have the chance to buy the building.
“We offered the property to other school boards and government agencies but there was no interest from either,” Hoshizaki said.
In the meantime, the board will continue to try to sell the building barring any suggestions by trustees for a future use.