EMC Group Limited provided civil engineering, site servicing, grading, and stormwater management for Kleinburg Public School, a replacement school accommodating 418 elementary students in the heritage district of Kleinburg. Completed in September 2009 for the York Region District School Board, the project required sensitive integration with the area's historical aesthetics and careful coordination around the on-site heritage Scout House—a non-operating train station originally located in Nashville, Ontario.
Project at a Glance
- Location
- 10391 Islington Ave., Vaughan, ON
- Owner
- York Region District School Board
- Type
- Education — Replacement School
- Capacity
- 418 Elementary Students
- Completed
- September 2009
- Award
- 2010 Masonry Award
Interactive map showing the subject site with property boundary overlay. Click the map to enable scroll zoom.
Heritage-Sensitive Design in Kleinburg Village
MC Architects worked closely with Vaughan Heritage to develop a school design that aligned with the historical aesthetics of the area. EMC Group's civil engineering needed to complement this heritage approach—designing site grading, road access, and servicing infrastructure that respected the character of Kleinburg Village while meeting modern municipal standards.
The site houses a 1,250 sq. ft. non-operating Train Station referred to as the 'Scout House,' originally located 5 km west of Kleinburg in Nashville, Ontario. It was critical that the construction of the school be sensitive to the integrity of this heritage structure, requiring careful staging, grading transitions, and protection measures throughout construction.
Environmental Innovation
Kleinburg Public School exemplifies environmental initiatives through its extensive use of permeable paving on site, creating underground stormwater storage that manages runoff at source rather than relying solely on conventional pipe-and-pond systems. EMC Group's stormwater management design addressed both routine rainfall and extreme storm events while reducing the site's impervious footprint.
Additional sustainability measures included the reduction of light pollution through careful site lighting design, optimization of the energy performance of the building envelope, and extensive use of local and recycled materials in construction—all contributing to a school that sets a high bar for environmental responsibility.
Site Servicing & Infrastructure
Municipal servicing—including water distribution, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage—was designed to support the school's program requirements while maintaining capacity for future needs. The parking lot and access design incorporated clear sightlines, pedestrian crossing points, and efficient bus and parent vehicle circulation to ensure student safety at drop-off and pick-up.
The project earned a 2010 Masonry Award, recognizing the quality of construction and the successful integration of brick and stone elements that give the building its distinctive heritage character.
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