District of Clearwater wants to have Dutch Lake School.
Acting mayor Brent Buck and chief administrative office Isabell Hadford asked School District 73 board last Monday to start the process that would let the municipality acquire the former school.
According to a letter from Buck to the school board, the school would be used as a regional community center for use by residents of the North Thompson Valley.
“The school has been closed for a number of years and council views the building as a valuable community asset that should not be sitting empty,” Buck wrote.
The center would house the District’s administrative offices as well as the ICBC/Motor Vehicle office.
Other possible uses would include an enhanced education center, including videoconferencing, to offer courses through Thompson Rivers University or through the existing adult learning community program.
Another proposed use would be a cultural center to be used as a museum/retail outlet for Metis, other First Nations peoples and local artists to display and sell their artwork.
The gymnasium and playing field would be used for community, recreational and cultural events and activities.
Office space could be offered for rent to community or private tenants.
The alternative school program currently provided by School District 73 at the school could continue, and there other uses not yet identified.
Buck’s letter noted that the school district is required to engage in a public consultation process to obtain input from the community about the disposition of school property.
He wrote that council would be willing to assist in the public consultation process by launching a poll on the District’s website.
Mayor John Harwood did not participate in the presentation as he was attending the meeting wearing his other hat – school trustee for the upper North Thompson.
For more about Harwood’s position on the matter, see page A3 inside.
