A planned $1.6 million renovation to Carlin Elementary-Middle School will be proceeding immediately, despite concerns it may leave the school district without funds available to renovate Eagle River Secondary.
Trustees voted to proceed with building renovations that will create a learning commons area, as well as make needed repairs. The renovations have been part of the school district’s plans for some time, however the building of the new District Education Support Centre and at the school district’s works yard took precedence.
“We need to fix all the things that are wrong,” said board chair Bobbi Johnson. “There are serious things that need to be worked on.”
While Sicamous trustee Barry Chafe pointed out that it might be prudent to use the current capital fund on renovations to Eagle River Secondary, which would be needed to allow for a K-12 school in that facility and the closure of Parkview Elementary. This closure would result in more than $300,000 in operational savings to the school district.
Chafe suggested the Carlin renovations be postponed until the school district sells some of its current properties, including the former administrative building and South Canoe School.
Instead trustees voted to proceed directly with Carlin’s renovations.