The Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute (KCVI) turns 225 years old, and to celebrate, a massive reunion is set to take place all weekend.
It’s a time to reminisce and take a trip down memory lane for former students like Barbara Ryan, who graduated back in 1954.
Ryan said a lot has changed in six decades.
“It was just plain, you might say. We didn’t have cell phones and all that kind of thing,” she said.
The current location at Frontenac Street was built about 100 years ago. Before that, KCVI was located at six different locations around the city.
“I think at one time because it was the only high school, it produced a lot of the people that ran the city, provincially in politics and federally in politics,”said Tim Orpin, a retired teacher.
It isn’t just a time to reconnect with old friend, but also a time to say goodbye — the school will close in 2019.
“It is bittersweet because so many people walked through these halls. It is a little sad,” said Hayley Scanlan from the class of ’82.
“I graduated in ’74. It was a really good time for us all. It was a great school to go to and I am really sad it’s going to be closing soon,” said Hans Marx.
Students from KCVI will consolidate with QECVI, into a new, soon-to-be-built school.
The 225th anniversary celebrations at KCVI will continue until Sunday, Oct. 1st.