Naoibh O'Connor
The slow pace of bureaucracy takes the shape of a blue tarp on property at the corner of Kingsway and Joyce.
It covers the roof of a century-old, fire-damaged school building, which used to house two kindergarten classes--part of Sir Guy Carleton elementary.
The building was seriously damaged in an arson in March 2008. Students, parents, staff and the Collingwood neighbourhood have spent well over a year waiting for word on the fate of the heritage schoolhouse, even appearing at a committee meeting last March lobbying for its for restoration. Their wait continues.
COPE trustee Allan Wong, chair of the district's planning and facilities committee, said the provincial government has insisted the VSB state a case for the continued educational use of the building before it hands over the insurance money to fix it.
"We're insured through the province rather than a private insurance company, so the province said you'll have to show us the educational plans for it before they'll release the money. We're still working on the usage of it," Wong said.
Wong said the space will almost certainly be needed given the prospect of universal all-day kindergarten.
Meantime, he looked into the cost of at least fixing the school roof to make the exterior presentable, but the price tag was prohibitive, especially in light of the provincial government cut to the district's annual facilities grant.
The 2008 estimate for reconstructing the old school building was roughly $555,000, excluding the cost of removing asbestos, which has already been done.
"It's an eyesore," Wong concedes. "We have to fix it. But the most expeditious way is to show the provincial government that it's needed. My view is it's going to be proven to them at the end of the day... it's one of these one step at a time things and I wish it had been done, but in my view it will be done."
Vision Vancouver trustee Sharon Gregson said she's determined to keep the issue at the forefront because it's bad for the school community. Gregson blames the provincial government for the delay. "Just to be clear, this is not the fault of the district. This is waiting for the ministry to step up," she said. "But I want to make sure with all the other issues our beleaguered facilities department is having to deal with that this issue doesn't fall off the agenda. I want people to be aware it's still waiting to be dealt with."
Gregson maintains there are lots of potential uses for the site, for example childcare, literacy programs, settlement programs or adult education.
Wong expects a report about the heritage school might be ready for the next education and students services committee meeting. Meanwhile, he'll be contacting the principal with an update that will be put in a school newsletter.
