Laurentian High School

Laurentian High School is a former Ottawa high school. It was located on Baseline Rd. between Merivale and Clyde, in the city's West End. The school opened in 1958. It was built at the same time as Rideau High School and Ridgemont High School and has the same base design. Over time, Laurentian has expanded twice, bringing its capacity to 1,143. By 2004 its population had fallen to 510, and in December of that year the board decided to close the school.

The History of Laurentian High School

Laurentian High School (LHS) has a rich history that deserves to be commemorated. The Mayor of Ottawa, George H. Nelms, placed the corner stone on June 24, 1957. When the school opened in September 1958, 600 students enrolled----twice the number that had been expected. Mr. W.C. Wallen was Laurentian's first principal.

To view the Laurentian High School emblem, please click:http://web.ncf.ca/an569/laurentian_high_school_emblem.html

Music

Right from the beginning, LHS was fortunate to engage Mr. Henry Bonnenberg as music director. He had recently moved to Ottawa from Holland, where he played with the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Within four years at Laurentian, he had developed an award-winning, symphonic band. Henry Bonnenberg demanded a level of commitment and skill that is a rarity for a high school band----then and now. The music students practiced every morning at 7:45 a.m. and often stayed after school to do small-ensemble work. The band had an impressive repertoire----from Bach arrangements, to the "Holst Suites," to "The Pageant for Band" by Vincent Persichetti.

During the 1960s, sometimes known as the "Golden Age of popular music," Laurentian was filled with music and drama. "Memories of Vienna," one of the many concerts staged during this decade, was commended by Elisabeth Strauss, matriarch of the Strauss musical dynasty of Vienna. The Laurentian Symphonic Band travelled extensively to perform during the 1960s and 1970s, occasionally entertaining Canadian Servicemen in Europe. LHS had the first high school band to perform in the Opera of the National Arts Centre. Following his retirement from LHS in 1979, Mr. Bonnenberg continued to teach music at the University of Ottawa until just before his death in 1995.

ports

LHS supported a strong football program in the 1960s and 1970s. To urge on their team, students sang the school song, a catchy march written by Mr. Bonnenberg. The last few lines of the refrain captured the school's spirit well: "Shout it out and cheer. Victory is near. We will always try, to hold our banners high. We'll win for Laurentian High." Steven Glavin, who served as principal for 10 years, left LHS in the 1970s for a stint at Lisgar High School.

The 1980s saw Laurentian go all out, "pumping up." Realizing the need for a healthy student body, 15 supervisors dedicated their efforts to work with 50 members of the LHS weight club.

In the 1990s Laurentian celebrated its multicultural diversity with potluck dinners. These events brought various cultures together, through their food.

Closure and Sale

Following closure in 2004 and sitting vacant for 3 years, LHS buildings and property were offered for sale in 2007. The City of Ottawa was interested in keeping this community landmark in public hands, but the School Board was unwilling to compromise on the sale price. The Board subsequently sold the school on July 18th 2007 to Clyde Baseline Developments. On 29 and 30 June 2007, students assembled a final time to remember 50 years of fine high school tradition.

New TV Series Location

The closed Laurentian High School has been chosen as the set of a new $10Mil television series, Family Biz, which began filming on May 5, 2008. A total of 26 family comedy episodes will be filmed, each 30 minutes long. The series is being co-produced with the involvement of three organizations: Muse Entertainment (a Montreal film company), Summit Crescent Productions and from France Breakout Films. The series will make its debut in Spring of 2009 on YTV.

http://digital.ottawacitizen.com/epaper/showarticle.aspx?article=2bd4b45d-18b8-44bb-8d9c-d93afe475d8f&viewmode=2&page=101

And here is an interesting article about the show, circa July 18, 2008: http://web.ncf.ca/an569/filming_at_former_laurentian_high_school.html

News article: Laurentian building sold to development giant

http://web.ncf.ca/an569/laurentian_high_news_2007.html

News article: Residents already preparing for battle over Laurentian site

Part One: http://web.ncf.ca/an569/smart_center_opposition_part_1.html

Part Two: http://web.ncf.ca/an569/smart_center_opposition_part_2.html

News article: Residents view conceptual plan for SmartCentre's Laurentian development

http://web.ncf.ca/an569/residents_view_conceptual_smart_center_plan.html

News article: Chiarelli files notice of motion for Merivale area CDP

http://web.ncf.ca/an569/Chiarelli_files_notice_of_motion_for_Merivale_area_CDP.html

21 photographs of Laurentian High School

http://web.ncf.ca/an569/laurentian_high_page_1.html

References

*Keith, Janet. "The Collegiate Institute Board of Ottawa: A Short History, 1843-1969." Ottawa: Kent, 1969.