BCSTA the Ministry of Education “to make greater utilization of school facilities for broader community purposes” (www.schoolconnections.ca). Riverside was in fact the first facility in BC to apply for the grant, Comeau notes proudly. “We’re obligated as school trustees, as representatives of our communities, to maximize opportunities for those communities,” he says. “You don’t have to look far for people to keep a school alive. When one becomes vacant, there’s usually a multitude of people showing interest.” He cites another example: Tulameen School, whose 100th anniversary was celebrated by a barbecue attended by grads from far and wide. The barbecue also served as a farewell, since Tulameen was closed - but a farewell to Tulameen as a school, not as a living building. There are plans to preserve it as a heritage site, and again may be used as an active community facility. Steve Jackson, director of operations in SD #6 (Rocky Mountain), says, “The foresight of our trustees to close schools when declining enrollment started to affect us back in 2002 has reduced the financial impact of the lost enrollment. We have sold and leased some of the closed schools, which means we are not spending funding maintaining these schools - which in turn allows us to redirect that money for the benefit of all students.” Jackson gives the example of Radium Elementary School, which Rocky Mountain closed, then leased to Parks Canada. “They’ve amalgamated the separate offices they used to have for Yoho, Banff and Radium Parks, and are operating out of the former school. Through the lease agreement with Parks, funds have been provided to make
many renovations and improvements to the facility. With Parks occupying the facility, they will cover most of the ongoing maintenance costs, and if we ever need the school in the future, they will move out, allowing us to once again operate an elementary school in Radium.” Meanwhile, the Village of Radium Hot Springs has also entered an agreement with Rocky Mountain, to make community use of the gym and sports field at Radium Elementary. In turn, the Village provides the ongoing maintenance for the gym and sports field. Other SD #6 buildings have been sold to community groups and church groups, and even exchanged with the Royal Canadian Mountain Police for one of its buildings. “The continued decline of students throughout our district has allowed us to provide space in our open schools for early childhood and after-school programs,” Jackson says. Al Cumbers, director of operations in SD #23 (Central Okanagan), says his district hasn’t been as hard hit so far by declining enrollment. Central Okanagan is down by 200 students this year – but the burgeoning suburbs are producing more kids. The result? Inner-city schools are emptying to some extent, with programs such as preschool taking up the newly available space. “However, young families are moving into neighbourhoods farther and farther away from where schools exist. The schools they do attend are bursting at the seams.” Many need transportation, which means busing costs are climbing, Cumbers adds. For further information, please send an e-mail to: mjackson@bcsta.org.
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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Spring 2007
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