A clearer picture of what it will take to keep three rural schools operating has emerged with completion of a long-awaited feasibility study that was presented to the Fraser-Fort George Regional District board of directors on Thursday.
The study outlines several proposals to convert elementary schools in Nukko Lake, Hixon and Giscome-Willow River into so-called neighbourhood learning centres.
The centres are meant to give their respective communities greater access to the facilities during non-teaching hours and, in the process, relieve School District 57 of at least a portion of the operating costs through a combination of tax-supported uses and rental income.
In the case of Hixon, it was noted that the school holds four vacant classrooms with one being used for church services and one for storage.
Shifting the four rooms used for classrooms to one end of the school could open up one wing for community use, the study noted. And based on comments raised during a meeting in February, expanding the school to replace the old community hall and house an emergency response centre was raised in the report.
Turning to the private sector was made out of the question. To erase a nearly $46,500 annual shortfall the school district faces in the operating cost, the four rooms would have to be rented out at roughly $1,000 per month or $166 per square metre which was "clearly not reasonable."
At Nukko Lake, there is a viable opportunity to lease space rather than demolish the vacant wing at the school because it's a modern building and the operating deficit is a significantly lower $8,421 a year.
No market was identified, however, and it was noted there are already three community halls in the area. Further, with the school at the edge of the community, it takes about the same time for residents to travel to the Hart Community Centre.
But the study did note the school's close proximity to Nukko Lake means it could house recreational groups and summer programs.
The Giscome-Willow River situation is complicated by the fact that the school needs to be replaced due to structural problems.
Facing a $4 million price tag to build a new 615-square-metre "bricks and mortar" building, the reigning proposal is now for a modular design that would cost $1.3 million for a 550-square building that would be built in Willow River.
There is almost no potential for rental income but Willow River has few community facilities and so, the school would likely be well used by neighbouring residents, the study found. And with modular construction, expansion would be easier and less expensive, it was added.
Written by two consultants, the report was commissioned by the regional district and the school district after receiving a $10,000 grant from the provincial government. School board trustees will consider the report at their June 28 meeting.
