School District 43 officials are worried about contributing $1 million to speed up construction of a new Coquitlam school because of uncertainties created by a new provincial school funding model
On Tuesday, April 13, trustees attending a virtual board of education meeting decided to hold off on making the payment toward the $125 million joint middle/secondary school for Burke Mountain because the “financial risk at this time is too great a risk to the board.”
Trustees had hoped to advance the funds for design work that could speed up the project by as much as six months.
It was hoped that the money would be spent on preliminary work that would identify the best location for the building, how many retaining walls would be needed, how much soil removed and traffic movements around the property.
Located on property with “extreme elevation changes,” SD43 and Coquitlam are working together on the project to ensure the school maximizes the potential for “two schools, play fields, and common assets, such as parking and washrooms that are accessible for both community and school uses,” according to the report.
But the report recommended against the cash injection, arguing that the introduction of the Treasury Board into the decision about the project could potentially add delays that would “sideline” efforts to reduce the project timeline.
Without government assurances, there are too many uncertainties, making the cash advance from School District 43 coffers “too great a risk,” the report states.
Trustees opted not to go ahead with the $1 million cash injection, citing worry about spending money before more is known about how and when the school will be funded. The issue will be reviewed May 11.
The new school's 2023 opening date has already been pushed back to 2024, with parents, councillors and school board officials lobbying the provincial government for a funding announcement in the coming days so it won’t be further delayed.
SD43 officials and parents are hoping to hear if funds for the 1,000 seat school for the growing Burke Mountain neighbourhood will be in this April’s B.C. government budget.
