It's the Alton of Halton. It's huge. And Burlington has never seen anything like it.

Last night Burlingtonians got a glimpse of the final design of the proposed Alton community centre, library and public high school -- all to be built under one roof as part of a nearly $50-million project. Those designs were put on display at an open house at the Brant Hills Community Centre. Construction of the project, to be built off Dundas Street east of Walker's Line, is set to begin in summer. Completion is expected in August 2012.

The project will feature a 156,000 square foot, three-storey public high school, an 11,400 square foot community library that will be integrated with the high school library and a 55,000 square foot community centre.

Scott Stewart, Burlington's general manager of community services, said the innovative project will become a community hub for more than 2,000 new homes being built as part of the Alton subdivision between Dundas Street and Highway 407. It's the last major new housing project expected to be built in the city.

"We think of this as one major building with three tenants," said Stewart of the three-uses-under-one roof concept. The three-storey high school is expected to serve some 1,500 students within its 170,000 square feet.

The proposed high school is expected to cost about $30 million. The community centre and library have approved budgets of $14 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

The structure will be on the west side of Tim Dobbie Drive. The school property will accommodate the Alton Multi-Use Complex that will include a lit artificial turf football field, eight-lane track and 355 parking spaces. On the other side of the road will be Norton Park, featuring two premiere-lit sport fields; a water play feature; outdoor multi-use court; playground; skate park and service building.

The project marks the first time the city has partnered with the Halton District School Board to provide three uses in one structure.

kpeters@thespec.com

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