The Qualicum School District will make a decision regarding the future of the Craig Street Commons and Qualicum Commons during its January board meeting.
The school district has been considering closure of the two buildings because together they require between $4 million and $5 million worth of capital work.
“I think we need to give this a little bit more time," said Trustee Elaine Young during the Nov. 26 board meeting. "This is not an easy process for any of us and we want to make sure that we don’t inadvertently evict people when we don’t need to.”
Trustee Carol Kellogg pointed out that the school district has received offers from groups interested in keeping the sites open to the public.
The 'Save the Commons' community group has developed a proposal that recommends a 30 year lease of both sites to the Oceanside Commons Society (OCS). The non-profit would be responsible for managing operations, financial obligations and capital repairs.
The school district and the Town of Qualicum Beach have also been in discussions regarding a long-term solution for the Qualicum Commons.
The Board of Education first considered a motion to close the facilities back in June, when it deferred the issue until its Nov. 26 meeting.
The school district closed four elementary schools in 2014 due to low enrolment, including Parksville Elementary and Qualicum Beach Elementary, now known as Craig Street Commons and Qualicum Commons, respectively. Since then the buildings have operated predominately as rental space for organizations such as independent schools, day cares, community support agencies and dance studios.
On Nov. 26, the board defeated a motion to close the two commons facilities and then resolved to consider the two buildings separately in January.
“It would be better to uncouple these two sites, as they are a bit different and to tie them together is a bit complicating," said Chair Eve Flynn.
The two motions will be considered at the board's Jan. 28 meeting.
