Land swap will preserve school’s outside play space
Council OKS trade with province, paving way for parking in Kinsmen Park South
Stephanie O’connor did a happy dance after city council agreed to transfer 1.2 acres of Kinsmen Park South to the provincial government to be used as an off-site parking lot for a new joint-use school.
“I’m really excited,” said O’connor, who spoke on behalf of the Argyle School Community Council. “I think it’s going to create so much more opportunity for the development of our school.”
With a daughter in Grade 1 at Argyle School and a son entering kindergarten next fall, her family will be very active in the new joint-use school that will combine Argyle and St. Pius and be built on Argyle School and L’arche Park land on Lakeview Avenue.
She said the decision to transfer a portion of Kinsmen Park South (located across the street from the future joint-use school) is integral to preserving as much of the school ground’s outdoor space as possible.
“The grounds are really compacted and there wasn’t really much green space for the kids to actually have and play on and I just feel like for the development and growth of our kids, they need outdoor space. They need sunlight,” she said on her way out of City Hall on Wednesday.
“They need all that to grow.”
In exchange for the piece of Kinsmen Park South, the province will give the city approximately 4.73 acres of park lands/green space from the site 12 blocks away on Garnet Street occupied by the current Ecole St. Pius X.
The ministry will also provide two programmable ball diamonds of equal quality to those lost at L’arche Park because of the school. The locations of the replacement ball diamonds were not specified.
That agreement can be formalized now that city council has approved the land swap.
Had it not been approved, the ministry would have had to look at accommodating parking within the school site which “would result in a potential loss of two programmed ball diamonds and green space,” according to a report from administration.
Together, the Regina Public and Regina Separate school boards conducted community consultation by sending out more than 3,400 surveys within the Kinsmen Park South area.
They received 200 responses via email and hard copy.
An open house was also hosted by the school boards, providing residents of the community the chance to get more information and provide their opinions in person, according to the report.
Of the 200 responses, 117 (58 per cent) were in favour of the parking lot, 80 (40 per cent) were opposed and three (1.5 per cent) were unsure.
Comments from those in favour of the parking lot note that the green space in question is currently wasted space, and if used for parking will help free up school ground space.
Others saw benefits of having the parking lot available for park users after school hours, limiting on-street parking.
Those against the lot voiced concerns about the proximity of the lot will impact nearby walking and skiing paths and ball diamonds. Others said parks are designated green space and they should stay that way.
“Once a park area is lost, we never get it back,” said one response in opposition to the parking lot.
During discussion at Wednesday’s city council meeting, Ward 7 Coun. Sharron Bryce asked if a pedestrian crossing of some kind will be needed to provide safe passage between the school and parking lot.
Administration assured council that when the time came for the ministry to submit a development permit for the parking lot, a traffic impact assessment will be required and recommendations made by administration to ensure safety in the area.
“It’s a step by step process and we have a long way to go,” said Mayor Michael Fougere about the steps between now and when the school and parking lot are eventually built. “But I do think that this is an opportunity for the community.”
The school itself faced opposition by a group of parents back in June 2019 who said they didn’t want their kids sent to such a massive school. The building will accommodate 400 students in each of its Catholic and public components with enough space for 100 more in each if the need arises. At the time, parents also objected to the idea of a parking lot in Kinsmen Park South.
In O’connor’s written submission to council, she wrote that the area is “nothing more than dirt and a few Dumpsters, underutilized with zero curb appeal.
“While we recognize that grass has been planted, the fact remains that this corner of the park has no use.”
The parking lot would be located on the south east corner of the park, adjacent to the school.
Also approved Wednesday was an additional $880,000 needed to realize the concept designs for the new Maple Leaf Pool.
It’s a step by step process and we have a long way to go. But I do think that this is an opportunity for the community.
MAYOR MICHAEL FOUGERE