A major obstacle to the construction of an elementary school for Burke Mountain - the neighborhood's first - has been cleared with a land assembly and partnership agreement between the city of Coquitlam and School District 43.
The deal announced Monday means residents in the newly-developed area could get a school for about 400 students by 2017, if the provincial government approves funding for the land and construction.
"What we're trying to do for the taxpayer is we have worked really hard with the school district to create some efficiencies by doing this deal together," said Perry Staniscia, the city's general manager of strategic initiatives.
Details about the cost of the land deal aren't being released because details are still being worked out in the purchase of seven pieces of property, and Staniscia said money for the city's share will come from the Development Cost Charges parks acquisition fund while the remainder will be funded by SD43 with provincial funding.
"The real intent is we wanted to make sure that people are really clear that we're both really committed to doing this," he explained, noting that the joint initiative will result in savings because the city and school district will be able to cost share facilities instead of each building their own.
As well, the city and SD43 have reached a deal on nine lots at Victoria Park, long held by the school district, so that the city retains the property on the south east corner as park in exchange for closing Queenston Avenue to create land for the school.
According to Staniscia, the area has been designated for a school in in the city's Official Community Plan for many years, but now plans can proceed with the agreement announce this week. In addition, the city can now complete its planning process for re-developing Victoria Park.
SD43 spokesman Ivano Checcini said the announcement is good news for parents in the area because it means the long-awaited school can be built. However, the province still has to approve the money for land and construction. expected to be about $30 million in total.
Plans are to build the joint school and park between Coast Meridian Road and Kingston Avenue, above David Avenue in Coquitlam.
