A closed school in Port Moody's College Park neighbourhood shouldn't be left to fall apart, says a community advocate who previously fought to keep the small school open.
Reece Harding, who lives near the Princeton Avenue school site, and whose daughters attended College Park elementary before it was closed, says the building has been vacant for several months since the private Mediated Learning Academy moved out and it has become an eyesore, with boarded-up windows, peeling paint and litter.
"It's really, really disrespectful of the school district to do that to our community," Harding said. "They are just letting it go."
The property is heavily treed and is dark at night, and Harding said some residents are nervous walking by the school, which is next to Westhill Park.
At left, Reece Harding outside the boarded up school.
"The city's doing a great job bring to put some amenities in College Park and the school district is doing nothing," he said, noting he would like to see the district come up with a long-term plan for the property, which could include selling a portion and keeping the rest for the community.
Harding isn't the only resident concerned, said PoMo Coun. Diana Dilworth, who said the issue was brought up during last fall's civic election campaign, and she said she also wants to know what the school district's plans are.
"I would hope the district would take seriously the concern of the neighbours and make a decision on the future of that property," Dilworth said.
So far, the only plans are to find a tenant for the property, according to Mark Ferrari, SD43's secretary-treasurer, and he is is optimistic a renter will be found.
But Ferrari disagrees with statements that the property isn't being looked after. "We are maintaining it. We don't just leave our vacant properties out there to decay. Obviously it's an asset."
WHAT TRUSTEES SAY
Port Moody Trustee Keith Watkins, who voted against the school's closure seven years ago, said he, too, heard from residents that the vacant property is a concern and he would like to see lighting improved and a renter found.
Below: The location of the school in Port Moody - Google Maps
"How do you maintain that they are public assets and kept for the citizens?" Watkins asked, promising to bring the issue to the board of education. "This is a project I'd be interested in."
Board chair Judy Shirra also agreed a long-term plan for College Park is needed but she said the board has many issues on the table and, with a number of rookie trustees, still needs to be brought up to speed on the district's capital projects.
"I think it's a wait and see," said Shirra, a Port Coquitlam trustee.
"We were able to trade property with Coquitlam," she said referring to a recent land swap with that city to get a new school built on Burke Mountain. "Who knows what can be done with Port Moody and Coquitlam."
