New school could also be used by public

A new middle school in the Upper Mission should also be a “neighbourhood learning centre,” city councillors will hear today.

A proposed partnership between the city and School District No. 23 would see parts of the new school made available for community use.

Just under 1,000 square metres of the new $36-million middle school would be made available for public use.

That space could come in the form of an expanded gym, meeting rooms, larger kitchen, or additional multi-purpose rooms.

Such facilities, city staff say, would enable community programs such as sports leagues, preschools and adult-oriented recreation programs to be offered at the new school, scheduled to open in September 2019.

“The intention of a Neighbourhood Learning Centre initiative is to maximize the benefit of schools by integrating a broader community use,” reads part of a staff report to council.

Following shared-use agreements that exist elsewhere, the community facilities at the new school would typically be made available after school hours, in the evenings, and on weekends and holidays.

If such an agreement is struck between the city and the school district, the provincial government would provide additional money for the community-oriented facilities.

Once built, the city would share in the operating costs of the facilities that are open for use by the public.

Plans are for the new 750-student middle school to be constructed in the Ponds neighbourhood, next to a proposed city park that would have a sports field, two tennis courts, a playground, nature trail, parking and washrooms.