Steve Hopkins, secretary-treasurer for School District 47, recently sent two letters to the City of Powell River on behalf of the district. The letters outline the district’s commitment to the city in regard to construction on the new Westview Elementary School.
At a recent Powell River Board of Education meeting, Hopkins explained that one relates to the district’s commitment to undergo a study to assess the level of bus traffic on streets surrounding the school. The other confirms the district will be responsible for installing two crosswalks on Joyce Avenue at Massett Street and Nootka Street and will make improvements to the sidewalk on Massett. The district estimates the work will cost about $200,000.
The letter also states certain aspects of the school that should have been built on city land have been built on district land. The district suggests granting the city a right-of-way in accordance with the Land Title Act to allow the city use.
Jay Yule, superintendent of schools, said the letters are a result of working with the city on these issues for the past seven months but that construction is now moving ahead. Negotiations between the city and the district have caused about a month’s delay and the school is now expected to open in January 2013.
Max Cameron memories
Mementoes made from chalkboards from the now demolished Max Cameron Secondary School are available to the general public for a donation to the district’s Haywire Bay camp project. They are available at the district’s head office on Ontario Avenue.
Butler House fire
Hopkins reported that an investigation of the site of Butler House, which sustained serious damage during a suspicious fire on October 11 and has since been demolished, has been completed by Powell River Fire Rescue. The building will not be replaced and the district is working with its insurance company to determine whether it is worthwhile for it to pay the deductible to receive compensation.
