A 'bittersweet' goodbye to Regina's 94-year-old Scott Collegiate

It's been 65 years sinceIsabelBailey began teaching at Scott Collegiate high school, and 38 since she left.

On Monday afternoon, she entered the room in the basement where she taught home economics decades ago.

Bailey worked at a small wooden desk beside a wooden filing cabinet, but like the rose-coloured paint on the walls, most of what she had known islong gone.

It'sthe last time she'll ever be in the building.

The school is set to bedemolished starting in July, after nearly a century in Regina's North Central neighbourhood.

In September, students and staff will be relocated to theMmawyatitnCentre, a new multi-purpose community facility adjacent to the old school.

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It will still be known as Scott Collegiate, but staff see it as a 2.0 version.

"When you're moving, you're always excited for the new adventure and the new beginnings," said school principal ShannonFayant.

She has been busy packing boxes, loading trucks and taking down the last bits of art off of the walls.

Fayantfound out she was going to be transferred five years ago, and knew she wanted tobe part of the transition to theMmawyatitnCentre, then known as theNorth Central Shared Facility.

The project has been in the works for more than a decade.

Fayantreflected on the school's 94-year legacy and its role in the community.

"I know that Scott Collegiate has been a second home and sometimes a first home Ithink, to many individuals," she said.

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"For me, walking through the hallways for the last time, it will be bittersweet."

Baileybegan teaching at Scott Collegiate in 1952, and stayed until the spring of 1979. It was 27 years with no regrets, she said.

Bailey spent time all over the school, typically teaching homeeconomics and sewing, but also girls health, remedial math, accounting, algebra and geometry.

"I could have moved, if I wanted to," she said. "When Istayed as long as I did that must have been a good sign."

Bailey said she was glad she had the chance to see the school before it was torn down.

The floor is far more slanted in the "old part" of the school than the one Bailey walked on. The new addition included the Reid Auditorium, the gym, the music room and the art department.

Baileytoured the school in theMmawyatitnCentreand said she was sad to see it didn't seem to be as oriented to the arts as the 'old' Scott Collegiate was.

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The final graduation ceremony in the old building will be held Tuesday afternoon.

The space where the Scott Collegiate building now sits will host playing fields and parking.