Building the Future of Pickering College

West Lake House

West Lake House is on schedule for the 2025-2026 school year. We are pleased that the building structure is now 98 per cent complete and we are on budget and on target for a Spring 2025 occupancy.

The focus now is on constructing the building envelope in anticipation of the winter season so interior work can be done. The building envelope is everything that separates the internal building from the external environment, including the roof, doors, windows, floors, and walls.

This summer saw continuous concrete pours that required work outside of regular construction hours—until 2:00 in the morning! The long hours were necessary as it took a few hours for the concrete to set, followed by the finishers and saw cuts.

We are excited about what this visionary build will mean for our students, our programs and for the entire Pickering College community. We look forward to hosting events for our parents and the broader community in West Lake House.

We are grateful for the support of this important, and much needed, addition to Pickering College. It is thanks to our generous donors that our shared vision for West Lake House is turning into a reality. Their support serves as an inspiration for others to join us in the creation of a space that will empower this and future generations of students.

Eric Veale Memorial Arena Renovations

Work is well underway on the Eric Veale Memorial Arena renovations. Selective demolition, which included the removal of the existing dasher, board system, rink slab and refrigeration equipment began in May. The existing sand was tested upon completion of the rink slab demolition and was confirmed to be fit for reuse on-site.

On May 1, parents, students and staff participated in the Dress Down Day and Toonie Toss fundraiser in support of the Eric Veale Memorial Arena. The fundraiser was a remarkable success, with participation across the entire school, raising $7,660 towards the arena renovation! For every donation made, students and staff added to their own Puck & Blade Wall in the Dining Hall, signing their names on paper figure skates and hockey pucks. Every dollar raised was matched by a generous donor, bringing the total to more than $15,000.

This school year our recreational and competitive hockey program and Junior School skating will take place off campus. We are on track for a March 2025 occupancy of the renovated arena.

It’s not too late to help fund this important project and show your support through a permanent Puck & Blade Wall in the revitalized arena! For donations of $500 or more, you can have a name (of your child, grandchild, family or business) proudly displayed on a hockey puck or figure skate blade. There are also naming opportunities still available.

Make your gift online at www.pickeringcollege.on.ca/giving/arena or connect with Jessie-May Rowntree, Assistant Head of School, Advancement at jrowntree@pickeringcollege.on.ca