About Us

Skyline Living is committed to providing best-in-class homes, environmental leadership, and community support. Our goal is to improve the lives of our residents, our employees, and the neighbourhoods in which they live. Our commitment to developing strong communities is reflected in how we manage our buildings, the charities we support, and the example we set as a community partner.

Please visit the Environmental Leadership and Awards section below to learn more about how we continue to meet these commitments.

Place Sainte Marie - A History

In 1910, the original Académie Sainte-Marie opened because the Quebec-based Bishop Latulipe wanted to open a francophone school to serve students of Northern Ontario in Haileybury.

The convent served as a boarding school and place for religious studies until it burned to the ground on October 4, 1922 during the Great Fire. The Great Fire of 1922 destroyed the convent and nearby church as it swept across southern Temiskaming. It was noted at that time that younger students were sent to nearby Cobalt to take refuge from the fire and the nuns and older students headed to Lake Temiskaming to escape the sparks and flames of the fire.

In 1925 the Sisters decided to rebuild their convent and construction was completed in 1928. In 1957 the convent underwent a major renovation and expansion.

The sisters pointed out that the building had served as a teaching institution, an elementary and secondary school taking in boarders, day students and pupils studying commercial courses.

Its original mission was the education of girls, but over time male students were accepted.

In 1968 the Académie Sainte-Marie lost its private school status when the Ministry of Education introduced a new model of education reform that did not support funding for both a religious and a French-language only school.

That's when the convent became a French Public High School called Ecole secondaire Sainte-Marie, marking the first time the nuns received a salary for teaching.

The school was placed under the jurisdiction of the Timiskaming Board of Education.

In 1969 a lay principal and lay teachers were hired to teach 547 students enrolled at the school.

Changes Through Time

After a few years it was decided that a new French-language high school should be built in New Liskeard to replace the aging Haileybury school. In 1973 students and staff then moved into what is now called Ecole catholique secondaire Sainte- Marie, located at the end of Hessle Avenue. The exit of the students to the new high school meant the sisters had to reinvent a purpose for the old school.

For a number of years between 1977 and 1995 they say it was used as a spiritual resource centre for the diocese and organizations in Northern Ontario. The academy was renamed Accueil Sainte-Marie.

After a few years the sessions started dwindling and the sisters entertained the possibility of selling the building. Sister Lemire was President of the Corporation responsible for the decision to sell the building.

The Next Chapter

Sister Lemire said she met with Century 21 realtor Eveline Gauvreau to go over ideas on how to sell the convent.

At that time it was suggested the Town of Haileybury purchase the building but the municipality could not come up with a successful plan for the building. "A bid by the Northdale Manor Board was also considered and that didn't pan out," said Sister Lemire.

Fast forward to 2004 when Skyline Inc. came up with an offer of purchase. "They had been looking at the building, asking questions and showed lots of interest," said Sister Lemire. She said on September 30, 2005 the final sale went through and Skyline Inc. became the new owners of the convent.

The last fourteen sisters left at the convent had to pack over 80 years of furniture, books, bedding, desk, chairs etc. They held a huge yard sale and with the help of several volunteers they managed to sell off the contents of the building. "It was a bittersweet day for us when we eventually had to leave the building but we are pleased with how it has been transformed," said Sisters Lemire and Tremblay.

With just the slightest hint of sadness in her eyes she said, "It was the end of an era for us…for you the beginning of one."

Both nuns are now enjoying their retirement years, but said they are very pleased with the way their convent has been renovated to fit modern-day lifestyles.

Environmental Efforts

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When it comes to environmental stewardship, we're leading the pack.
We know that "going green" is a win-win decision across all aspects of the company!

Learn more about how Skyline is Going Green!

Skyline Living’s Prestigious Awards

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November 29th, 2018

FRPO’s (Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario)
M.A.C. (Marketing, Achievement and Construction) Awards Gala

[ Environmental Excellence award ]

November 30th, 2017

FRPO’s (Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario)
M.A.C. (Marketing, Achievement and Construction) Awards Gala

[ Advertising Excellence for a Single Campaign - Skyline Living – Harris Place Phase I & II ]

December 1st, 2016

FRPO’s (Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario)
M.A.C. (Marketing, Achievement and Construction) Awards Gala

[ Environmental Excellence, Community Service Award of Excellence, Amenities Award of Excellence, Resident Manager of the Year, Property Manager of the Year, and Leasing Agent of the Year ]

December 3rd, 2015

FRPO’s (Federation of Rental Housing Providers of Ontario)
M.A.C. (Marketing, Achievement and Construction) Awards Gala

[ Community Service, Environmental Excellence, Property Manager of the Year and Resident Manager of the Year ]