Possible school closures could lead to more community space in Penticton | iNFOnews.ca
Okanagan-Skaha School Disrict Superintendent Wendy Hyer says today's announcement of funding for the school district is not enough to allow any of the three district schools slated for closure to remain open. Photographer: Steve Arstad

Possible school closures could lead to more community space in Penticton

PENTICTON – As enrolment declines and the local school district looks at closing schools in the region, other groups are looking at how they can utilize those spaces.

The B.C. French school board has a use for McNicoll Park Middle School should it fall under the chopping block March 9,  as does the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club for Carmi Elementary School.

The suggestions came yesterday evening, Feb.22, when School District 67 officials moved forward with its School Closures Policy by hosting an alternate use meeting at Shatford Centre.

School District 67 Board Chair Linda Van Alphen says the meeting, held to allow public input regarding possible new uses for school buildings affected by a closure decision, was relatively quiet, with about 40 members of the public attending.

The Conseil Scolaire Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique expressed an interest in leasing McNicoll Park Middle School for a period of three years with an option for an additional two years.

The Okanagan Boys and Girls Clubs is interested in transforming Carmi Elementary into a focal point in the community by housing community organizations, service groups, agencies and resources in the building.

Other individuals suggested Carmi Elementary School might be of interest to Interior Health, Van Alphen says, noting those were personal views expressed, not Interior Heath’s.

Van Alphen says Mayor Andrew Jakubeit also spoke about the city’s joint-use agreement with the school district with respect to the sports fields at Carmi Elementary, McNicoll Middle School and Parkway Elementary.

Another personal suggestion involved turning Trout Creek Elementary into a conference centre for Summerland.

Van Alphen says the board will be receiving feedback through its website for alternative uses for a closed school for a few more weeks.

The board expects to make its closure decision on Wednesday, March 9.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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