Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute

Orillia High School welcomed its first students in 1877 and was Orillia's oldest secondary school . It would grow from its original 57 students to more than 1,000 in its heyday when it became known as Orillia District Collegiate and Vocational Institute (ODCVI).

Over the years, as the student body grew, several additions were constructed, creating a confusing maze of hallways and awkward spaces that were difficult for new students to navigate.

But to those who grew up in its hallowed halls, ODCVI was a home-away-from-home during those awkward teenage years. It housed clubs and dances and sports and became a place where friendships took root and blossomed - for generations of young Orillians.

However, several years ago, the decision was made to merge ODCVI with its longtime rival, Park Street Collegiate Institute. Orillia Secondary School was born.

Since then, ODCVI has sat dormant; its halls quiet, its gyms silent and forlorn.

In 2018 the County of Simcoe purchased the property for the development of a future regional services hub.

Sadly, the county said the aged buildings on the West Street North property needed to be demolished to make way for that hub.

My visit to the school started as usual, scouting the exterior and finding a poe. Once inside we unpacked our gear and moved on cautiously. Upon entering the first hallway we immediately noticed a motion sensor tripping off in a corner. We listened for noise but didnt hear any so we moved on. Twenty r so minutes later of wandering the halls I passed through a closed doorway into another part of the school and heard the screaming alarms going off down the hall. Panic sets in and we quickly make our way back to our entrance and exit the building. Mere seconds after wheeling around the corner of the school an OPP drives by at turtle pace eyeballing us hard. Thankfully we continued on down and across the road without any problems.

The school was demolished shortly after my visit and currently the land sits unused and vacant on streetview.

History compiled from Barrietoday.com