Port Moody has rejected School District 43's plans for eligible school sites in the city, saying it doesn't properly reflect anticipated growth.
The district's 10-year growth plan flagged 854 new dwelling units in Port Moody and, throughout the district, an increase of about 275 new school-age students.
Coun. Rick Glumac said the plan was based on PoMo's old official community plan but "if we have this school sites proposal endorsed by our council, it seems we're accepting this incorrect information, which I can't do."
A city staff report notes that the district passed its school site proposal in September, before PoMo council adopted the new OCP. Staff will be updating the growth projections for SD43 next summer.
Council agreed to reject the school sites proposal and will meet with the district to discuss the matter.
Coquitlam passed the district's plan earlier this week, with council asking for more clarity on where new schools will be built on Burke Mountain.
In other Port Moody news:
WESTHILL RENO
Replacing the siding on the Westhill community centre is proving more costly than expected.
Last month, council approved a project tender for $375,000 to replace the wood siding with HardiPlank on the mid-1970s-era building, based on earlier testing to determine the level of damage.
But when the contractor began removing the siding, workers discovered areas with significant water damage to the wall studs, insulation and drywall. Repairing it has also required an asbestos-abatement process, a staff report notes.
The additional work is estimated at $112,879, to be funded from money remaining in the facility capital projects budget.
PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS
A number of recommendations for expanding Port Moody's preschool programs will be studied by the preschool task force established in the spring.
At Tuesday's meeting, council approved approved eight recommendations that will see the task force review several options, including increasing the number of allowable participants in certain programs, adding new locations such as the Inlet Theatre and PCT Performance Stage, add evening and weekend programs and more.
The staff report notes some of the recommendations come with a cost, such as $80,000 to add a new curtain to the recreation centre gym (a 2016 capital project). Increased staff time and rental costs are anticipated to be covered by additional revenue from program registration.
Mayor Mike Clay voted against the recommendations, saying there was not enough information on the potential costs associated with them.
