The project generated some controversy as the Collegiate Board presented a plan that included an auditorium, double gym, and a cafeteria.

The Ottawa Property Owners association objected to these as expensive and unneeded luxuries, and the mayor Charlotte Whitton agreed.

The double gymnasium block projected into a large sports field and oval track.

There were horizontal bands of windows in silver aluminum, which were later retrofitted with tinted glass in brown anodized frames.

The school's most architecturally interesting feature is a smokestack with a heavy fire door at the base for cleaning out the ash and soot.