Pemberton Woods Campus Renewal: Built Together for the Next Generation

Nearly two years ago, we started a conversation about what the future of education looks like, and what kind of community we're building together. That conversation was guided by four commitments: Inclusion (creating spaces that welcome everyone), Innovation & Learning (fostering curiosity and preparing students for an interconnected world), Health & Wellness (prioritizing the well-being of our whole community), and Sustainability (leading by example in ecological stewardship).

Over eight engagement events, we heard from more than 200 people. Students described the adaptive learning spaces they need, teachers talked about the innovations they want to explore, neighbours shared what a healthy community looks like to them, and families and alumni reminded us of what endures at GNS. These perspectives shaped the design.

Neighbours asked for school traffic to be moved to Richmond Avenue to protect the People Priority Greenway on Maddison. We designed a double gymnasium, expanded innovation studios, and gathering spaces where students can connect and collaborate. On-site parking has increased to ease residential streets. Buildings have been stepped and consolidated toward the centre with maximum setbacks and green buffers. Bike infrastructure, rain gardens, rooftop gardens, and spaces for community connection throughout. These weren't compromises between neighbourhood concerns and campus needs. They were the design: neighbourhood priorities and educational innovation woven together and guided by our four principles.

Progress with the City

We've completed two detailed resubmissions to City staff, finalizing technical details such as road improvements along all campus edges (Richmond, Maddison, Richardson), bus drop-off and pick-up on Richmond Avenue, and tree retention and replacement throughout the site.

In November, the City's Advisory Design Panel provided a strong, positive review of the plan. They gave broad support for the overall design and recognized the high quality of collaboration. They affirmed that the campus composition (how buildings step and consolidate toward the centre, how the site relates to its edges, how green space and public realm integrate) will continue to bring character and vitality to the neighbourhood. Their review validated what we set out to do: create a renewal that serves GNS's educational mission while deepening our role as a genuine community partner.

What Comes Next

The City is now moving our application forward to the next steps. Over the coming months, we'll work with City staff to finalize remaining details before moving through formal approvals (hopefully concluding in the Summer of 2026).

A Campus Built for the Future

The renewed campus will embody what modern education requires: flexible collaborative spaces, integrated wellness and athletics, accessible design, and genuine connection with the community. For students and teachers, it means facilities designed for how learning happens in the next generation. For neighbours, it means a campus that's open, green, and genuinely part of the neighbourhood. For all of us, it means a place that has evolved thoughtfully, built together.

The Renewal We're Building

To our faculty and staff: your vision for teaching, learning and community shapes every space. To our students and families: you help us imagine what's possible. To our neighbours: you remind us that we all have a part to play in contributing to the neighbourhood and the community. GNS remains committed to transparency and genuine partnership as we move forward.

Questions? Contact Tamara Slobogean at tslobogean@mygns.ca or 250.370.6842.