Hamilton school board aims to expropriate Scott Park

Hamilton's public school board wants to expropriate land near the former Ivor Wynne stadium to build a new high school for 1,250 students.

The Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board is looking to expropriate Scott Park, a one-time school site located atKing Streetand Melrose Avenue Northin the Pan Am precinct.

The board is partnering with the city on a joint complex in the precinct that could house a recreation centre and high school.

"We believe the Scott Park site is the best option available as it allows the board to partner with the city on a joint-use facility that benefits both our students and the broader community," board chair Tim Simmons said in a media release Monday.

The board has legislative authority to expropriate, which is the act of taking land without the consent of the owner. This is the second time it has used it in Hamilton.

The new $31.8-million high school will replace Sir John A. Macdonald, Delta and Parkview schools, which are slated to close in 2015. The board voted to close the schools last May after an accommodation review aimed at reducing the number of empty seats.

The board expects the expropriation will take three to nine months.