Kamloops/Thompson brings vacant schools back to life

Spring 2008

The Vision:

School District #73 (Kamloops/Thompson) wanted to utilize two empty schools that were located in rural communities for the School Community Connections Program. The vision was to let the communities decide what they wanted the schools to be used for so that they would support the projects chosen. 

The Goal:

The goal was to have new life brought back into a large vacant school building that was at risk of vandalism and falling into disrepair.  With the building in use, the risks of vandalism and costs of maintaience is reduced.

Partners:

The School District partnered with the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD), as there were no municipal governments located in either Barriere or Clearwater.  That factor has since changed as both communities have recently undergone incorporation.

Projects:

Barriere Ridge Annex

Barriere Ridge Annex was closed in June 2006 due to declining enrolment. The building is centrally located in the community of Barriere and currently home to a daycare operated by Yellowhead Community Services (YCS).  Under the School Community Connections program YCS will expand their daycare operation to include an infant and toddler program as well as an after school program.  YCS will also amalgamate some of its other programs into the building that are currently operating in other areas of Barriere.  This amalgamtion will create a central hub for the community services that serve the children aged 0-6 years in the community.

The new Barriere Municipal Offices are located in the building but are not under the School Community Connections Program.

Dutch Lake Elementary

Dutch Lake Elementary has been closed for the past three years due to declining enrolment.  Under the Community Connections Program three tenants will share the currently vacant building.  School District No. 73 will move their virtual school and their alternative high school programs into a portion of the building.  YCS will operate the Clearwater Employment Centre.  Clearwater Resource Centre (CRC) will also expand their current operations by moving into the building.  All three of these groups were desired to move to Dutch Lake as a means of expanding and being more centrally located.

The actual renovations in both schools will be limited to interior construction.

Challenges:

There were numerous community groups interested in the program, and it took time to sort through all the applications submitted to the joint School District and TNRD committee.  Many local groups wanted space however, coming up with funding under the program and providing evidence of long term viability proved to be the biggest hurdles local groups had to face.

Region Specific Issues:

The recent incoporation of both Municipalities brought two new partners to the table and impacted both projects.  Some groups had funding and support concerns as powers and services were transfered from the TNRD to the new local municipal government.

Sources of Funding:

Other sources of funding for this project were the responsibility of the local groups involved.  YCS operates several provincial government programs in Barriere and received a HUB grant from the British Columbia government to help with their costs.

In Clearwater both YCS and CRC have federal contracts that helped with their funding needs.  In addition to these funds, CRC also received monies from the British Columbia Government's North Thompson Economic Development Fund, the Moutain Pine Beetle Fund and from contracts it has with the local governent and businesses to provide services.

Progress to Date:

Both projects have recently started the renovation stage.  The projects are aiming for a December 31, 2008 completion date.