Construction Updates

The project was handed over to our contractor (Aquicon) on March 7th, 2022 and construction preparation began imminently. The construction site has been fenced and secured and demolition activities in the Iggulden Building took place throughout March.  

Construction on the Iggulden Building will take place between March 2022 and the summer of 2023. These facilities will be used by the students as of September 2023. The Griffith Gym renovation and addition will begin in April 2022 and be complete by spring 2023. The Fieldhouse will be closed for renovations from spring 2023 until December 2023. We are aiming to complete the entire Athletic Complex renovation by December 2023, at which time, construction will wrap up on campus. 

In order to minimize the disruption to student programming, we are undertaking a multi-phased approach to construction. We have worked with our contractors to determine the sequence for construction that will have the least impact on students and that will ensure the safety of our students at all times.  

The safety standards maintained throughout this project will be to the highest degree. Fencing has been erected around the site, the roadway through the middle of campus has been closed, an alternate pathway has been constructed for students to navigate the construction site and only authorized personnel are allowed anywhere on the construction site. In addition to the safety measures in place, we are taking a multi-phased approach to construction to minimize the disruption to student programming and emphasize student safety. 

The entire Iggulden Building will be renovated to accommodate a new Learning Commons, Music Conservatory, Art Gallery, and Creative Commons. A 9,000 square foot addition for the Music Conservatory will be built on the west side of the Iggulden Building  

An addition will be built onto the current Griffith Gymnasium to include a fitness centre, yoga/fitness studio and athletic commons. A new squash centre will be added on the north side of the Griffith Gymnasium.  

The upgrade to the Iggulden building encompasses a 25,600 square foot renovation and 9,000 square feet of new construction. The upgrade to the Athletic complex consists of a 10,000 square foot renovation to the current fieldhouse and current change rooms as well as 20,000 square feet of new construction.  

Physical activity will continue to be a priority for Ridley. Students will still have access to all facilities during designated times in the evenings and weekends, including the strength center, Tiger Arena and the Fieldhouse. 

Spring programming will not be impacted at all.  

The relocation of music, digital and visual arts from the Second Century Building (2CB) to the Iggulden Building will provide dedicated middle school space in 2CB. Future phases of the Master Campus Plan will address the needs of the Lower School.  

Academics are at the heart of Phase One. Each component of The Campaign for Ridley will directly benefit students in the classroom. The Iggulden renovation (Learning Commons, Creative Commons, Art Gallery, and Music Conservatory) will provide Ridley with state-of-the-art teaching, learning and study spaces. The renovations to the athletic facility will also directly benefit the physical education curriculum and our emphasis on physical literacy across all ages. 

Ridley’s emphasis on arts programming within this campaign speaks to our holistic approach to our education. We are offering students a wide range of opportunities, beyond academics and athletics.  

Currently, the music programme is in the basement of the Second Century Building. This space is woefully inadequate to meet the needs of a first-class music programme for our students. Purpose-built practice rooms, performance space, classrooms and recording space are necessary to elevate music and provide a first-class experience for our student musicians.  

• Our Creative Commons will house a design makerspace, film studio, ceramics room, tech lab, and design studio that will elevate student learning in these areas.  
• Connecting the Creative Commons with the Music Conservatory, an open concept atrium will serve as a light-filled Art Gallery, showcasing student artwork and Ridley’s own extensive collection. 

A new swimming pool is not part of Phase One but is included in the overall Master Campus Plan and will be part of Phase Two. In the interim, the swimming pool is now closed, and we have partnered with a local swimming pool to continue offering swimming to Ridley students.  

The Learning Commons will effectively replace the Matthews Library. The Learning Commons will be a modern library with space for students to collaborate, work individually or socialize.  

The space that the Matthews Library currently occupies will be repurposed to accommodate additional classroom space.   

With the new renovations, there will be a variety of spaces and additional flexibility to accommodate gym classes and sport offerings for all Upper and Lower School students.