Waterloo’s Ziegler PS to reopen with its history preserved in 2027
Posted Jul 3, 2026 10:41:33 AM.
Last Updated Jul 3, 2026 10:44:27 AM.
The historic Elizabeth Ziegler Public School is still on pace to open in September of 2027, says Waterloo Regional District School Board.
Ziegler PS has been teaching students for nearly a century, having been opened in September of 1931. Named after Miss Lizzy Ziegler, a 58-year veteran school teacher in Waterloo County, the building the school occupies is one of the most well-known historic sites in the region.
In March of 2025, the school closed after a slab of concrete fell off the upper awning of the building’s structure. Students were relocated to nearby Sandowne Public School while the building underwent renovations. Roughly 450 students attended the school at the time of the incident.
CEO of Waterloo Region District School Board Scott Miller told 570 NewsRadio that passersby of the renovation will notice some change, but the same historic features:
“What the community will see is some of the different places where we’re having to move brick — from the back of the building to the front,” said Miller. “So we can ensure we can continue with our heritage designation too, which has been a real priority for this project.”
The school was designated a heritage landmark in 1985 under the Ontario Heritage Act for its rare “Gothic Revival architecture”. The school was just the third public elementary school to ever open in Waterloo.
Miller says in addition to structural updates meant to make the aging building safe for students, some completely new additions will help improve accessibility in areas that were not intended upon the school’s inital construction.
“There is parts of Elizabeth Ziegler that weren’t accessible. As a result of this restoration those are some structural changes that will be happening. There will be things like some accessible ramps and different pieces that will be seen in front of the school that would not have been as visible before.”
Miller also says a new elevator will be included in the new building. He reiterates that regardless of what technology and new elements are added to the historic school, Ziegler PS will have its same iconic character when it returns next year.
“As far as inside the school and keeping the traditions and all that made it a heritage building, we’re working hard to restore that and make sure it keeps its character.”
The renovation is still on pace to see the school reopen with students in classes in time for the new school year in September of 2027.
Miller also confirms that the rebuild is projected to stay under its announced $14.5 million budget.
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