Lake Superior Elementary school was purchased on Oct. 4 by local real estate developer Ryan Nelson. Following the purchasing of the property, Nelson has some ideas for what the school will transform into. 

“I thought lightly about the possibility of purchasing this property as it was announced it would be going for sale. It wasn’t until others asked if I was interested before I took a deeper look into the project,” Nelson said.

Director of Business Services David See oversaw the process of selling the school and putting it on the market. He was also a part of the conversation when deciding whether or not to keep the school open.

“The school initially went up for board vote in May of 2023, Leaving everyone with a heads up a year and a half in advance,”  See said.

Many community members started to wonder what was going on. Upon releasing the news that the school was closing people had very mixed feelings about it. There were some that did not want the school to close since it was the closest to home, however some understood the reasoning behind it. 

“The number one reason for the closing was the enrolment rate is driving down, shifting kids to other schools is going to save a lot of money, With barely even increasing the class sizes, Maybe by three to four kids,” See said.

The empty school offered an opportunity for a repurpose project. 

“It has most of the infrastructure items done and can be reused for housing purposes, such as the exterior walls are in place, the roof is existing, the parking lot is complete and water and sewer mains are reusable,” Nelson said.

Nelson found a use for the building, while finding a purpose for it in the community by creating a fitness center along with apartments. 

“We wanted to make sure this could not turn back into a school, We were hoping for someone to take it and turn it into a real estate development,” See said. 

Nelson has had a long history in development, going from diesel mechanic to taking an opportunity to start his own business, P&R Plumbing and Heating.

“He’s definitely smart, This is definitely a vision for him and he has passion,” See said.

Nelson has developed nine other projects. The building will be something new for Nelson, as he has never done a remodel for an apartment complex. 

“This project will offer a complete fitness facility for the eastern side of Superior. The building will offer state of the art equipment for all types of exercise and a full pickleball court. The 50 units of apartments will offer great housing solutions for this quadrant of Superior,”  Nelson said.

Nelson decided this was his opportunity to finally make a pickleball court. This will be in place of the current cafeteria. Since there are already existing walls, it would make it hard to try to make the cafeteria into apartments. 

The project has already started,  and is expected to be completed about July of 2025. There will soon be a Facebook page for updates and project plans for the school.