The Regional District of Nanaimo plans to purchase the former French Creek School site in Coombs from the Qualicum School District.
The RDN has been leasing the school site since 2014 when the district closed operations. The lease was recently extended until Dec. 30, 2025. It's been used for field and playground purposes. RDN parks operations have been inspecting and maintaining the playground, field and trees and surrounding vegetation within the park area.
In 2023, the school district issued a public notice that they were considering the disposition of this property, located at 2350 Alberni Highway. The RDN board directed staff to negotiate a conditional offer to purchase the lands from the school board. The conditional purchase offer of $1.3M for the property was negotiated and accepted.
To pay for the property, part of the purchase would be funded through longterm borrowing, which requires elector approval.
On May 27, the RDN board approved the resolutions required to proceed to referendum to obtain the assent of the electors of the Electoral Area F Community Parks and Halls Local Service Area for borrowing up to $824,000, plus interest, repayable over a period of no more than 10 years. A resolution to forward the required loan authorization bylaw to the Inspector of Municipalities for approval was also endorsed by the board. Ministerial authorization is required before a referendum can proceed.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to purchase the historic first government school in the district, which opened in 1912," said Leanne Salter, Area F director. "Since 1912 to 2014, many of our pioneer and current families attended the school which was considered the heart of the community. Should the RDN receive elector approval to proceed, the property will provide a much-needed recreation space for residents in Electoral Area F and preserve the park space that continues to be enjoyed by many.”
The purchase of the property is included in the approved 2025-2029 Financial Plan. If the longterm borrowing through a referendum is approved by the electors, the purchase would be funded through $376,000 of Electoral Area ‘F’ Community Parks and Halls reserve funds, $120,000 of Community Works Funds and longterm borrowing of $824,000 plus interest. In addition to the $1.3-million purchase price, the funding also includes $20,000 in closing costs to support this purchase.
If approved by the Inspector of Municipalities, the referendum would take place in the fall of 2025. Eligible resident electors and non-resident property electors of Electoral Area F are the only persons entitled to vote in the referendum. The estimated annual cost per average household in Electoral Area F for the loan repayment is $22.71 per year over the 10-year loan term.
If the referendum is successful, future use of the property will be determined after public engagement. The property includes a building once used as French Creek Community School, a gymnasium and a field and playground currently used as the French Creek School Community Park.
For information on the purchase agreement and property details and to sign up to receive project updates on the referendum and potential future use engagement, visit getinvolved.rdn.ca/french-creek-school-and-parkland-purchase-referendum.
