Riverdale Collegiate Institute

Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted April, 2011

Here, on the former exterior south wall, now inside an atrium, at Riverdale Collegiate Institute, on Gerrard Street East at Jones Avenue is a plaque erected in 1965. This is what it says:

Plaque coordinates: 43.669914 -79.335113

In co-operation with the Riverdale Business Men's Association, the Toronto Board of Education persisted in building a school on Gerrard Street, named Riverdale Collegiate Institute. The original school, consisting of a principal's office, library, auditorium, four classrooms and two science rooms, was occupied in 1907.

By the second and third years, classes had to be held in the cloak rooms. The first addition was completed in 1910 and consisted of the assembly hall and the eight classrooms to the north and south of it. Additions were built in 1914, 1922, and 1924, in accordance with the architect's original plan for the expansion of the school.

In the fall of 1950, a long-anticipated event took place: the official opening of the northwest wing containing the auditorium and cafeteria, which serves the community as well as the school. A major renovation and addition was undertaken in 1953-54 to provide the new swimming pool and improved physical education facilities. The latest classroom wing on the east was built in 1961 to accommodate the increasing student enrolment and the school site was enlarged to provide for outdoor physical education facilities.

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