While the Sooke School District is looking to build new schools and expand some of its existing facilities, itB次元官网网址檚 also looking to get rid of one that hasnB次元官网网址檛 held regular classes in over a decade.
Metchosin elementary school played host to Happy Valley elementary students in the wake of the 2004 fire that destroyed the original school, as well as some of the districtB次元官网网址檚 trades programs a few years ago, but otherwise it has remained dormant as far as public education is concerned.
Late last month school trustees passed first reading of a bylaw that would allow SD62 to looks at the disposition of the property, which sits within the Metchosin village and has hosted the Metchosin Arts and Cultural Centre Association (MACCA) for the past seven years, as well as the Metchosin SeniorsB次元官网网址� Information and Resource Centre.
Superintendent Jim Cambridge shared three reasons why they are looking at disposition.
Firstly, he said, there is little projected growth in the area and itB次元官网网址檚 become clear that the school wonB次元官网网址檛 be re-opening.
B次元官网网址淭he second reason is that the revenue generated from rentals doesnB次元官网网址檛 cover the cost of operating and maintaining the building,B次元官网网址� Cambridge noted.
The third reason is tied to the school districtB次元官网网址檚 planned expansion. B次元官网网址淭he government would like us to contribute to that and part of their conditions are to get rid of surplus property,B次元官网网址� he said.
The propertyB次元官网网址檚 value has been assessed, but Cambridge declined to disclose any figures.
Art Brendon, chair of MACCA, wrote a letter to the district board outlining their hopes for the building on behalf of the organization.
B次元官网网址淚t is our belief that the entire property could be operated sustainably as a public access facility,B次元官网网址� he wrote.
Brendon detailed that the centre has become an arts and culture hub for the community, local artists and organizations.
B次元官网网址淭his is not just a B次元官网网址榩iece of propertyB次元官网网址� but the actual geographic and social heart of a community. Any use for this property must respect and reflect this,B次元官网网址� he continued in the letter.
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns, who attended the school in his youth, would like to see the school district go in a different direction.
B次元官网网址淔rom sitting on the outside and seeing how difficult it is to find school sites and seeing how fast Colwood and Langford are growing B次元官网网址� I would like them to reconsider the sale altogether and maybe work with us on how to establish an arts-based school option,B次元官网网址� he said.
The property is zoned for instutitional use and Ranns said Metchosin wonB次元官网网址檛 allow re-zoning. He said theyB次元官网网址檝e floated an offer to the school district that falls below the assessed value, but that an agreement hasnB次元官网网址檛 been reached. A completed sale would likely see Metchosin secure leases for its user groups before selling the building to a private educational instution.
Conversations with private interests have already taken place, Ranns confirmed.
The school districtB次元官网网址檚 bylaw is scheduled to receive second and third readings at a meeting on May 23. B次元官网网址淚f they do that weB次元官网网址檒l be having to put it to tender through an agent,B次元官网网址� Cambridge said.
The school district wants to have a piece of land near Latoria Road and Happy Valley Road excluded from the Agricultural Land Reserve in order to host a new middle school and eventually an additonal elementary school. They also have land in Colwood earmarked for another elementary school, the location of which remains undisclosed.
Altogether, four new schools are planned for the near future.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
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