Outside groups will be able to rent space in School District schools beginning Oct.1.
But even with strict protocols and extra cleaning, officials are reluctant to rent out classrooms.
While groups, such as film companies and churches are being allowed to use school spaces like gyms or empty buildings, extra thought is going into accommodating language schools that need classrooms also used by students.
“It would be limited were we to do it,” acknowledged secretary treasurer Chris Nicolls, in a zoom meeting with trustees Tuesday.
He was responding to concerns from trustees that classrooms might not be the best place for groups because of all the cleaning requirements and different surfaces that students would also be using.
Less concern was expressed for groups, such as churches, requesting space at Centennial secondary and Como Lake middle in Coquitlam, because church-goers will be limited to certain areas and will be required to have a strong plan for moving around the building, as well as limit numbers to 50 people or less.
Gyms can host just one sports group per night as long as the organization can work within cohorts as stipulated by the provincial health officer but will have to pay a cleaning fee, a requirement that resulted in several cancellations.
Film companies meanwhile are knocking on the district’s door in recent days to shoot movies in schools. A shoot has been confirmed at Terry Fox secondary in Port Coquitlam on an upcoming weekend and another at College Park, which is not used for classes, where another two more film shoots in the works.
SD43 also expects to rent out College Park in Port Moody to police training and last month rented out Riverside secondary in Port Coquitlam for traffic court.
