Why not re-use empty schools -2-
Posted on | February 18, 2009 |
Why are we building new Schools when many sit empty? Proposed Heritage Woods Middle School - Wrong location (this photo and caption posted by refusetodonothing.com)
Not feeling the love. This prior post has had no comments? No feedback? - I though it may have been missed as an option?
Why not re-use empty schools?
Coquitlam NOW
Published: Friday, February 13, 2009
What is this world coming to? One minute we are closing schools because of a decline in enrolment, then the next minute there are plans for building a new school, thus ripping down what little greenery is left in the Tri-Cities and making more wildlife homeless.
I think to myself, what is happening to those empty schools already standing? Can they not be used? Regardless of the waste of taxpayers’ money, the area that they plan on building the new Heritage Woods Middle School in is ridiculous.
They plan on building the school right behind the existing Heritage Woods Secondary School, which already brings mass amounts of traffic congestion. Is this really the best place to put yet another school with yet more traffic?
The people on the building committee obviously see this as being a problem as well because they plan on having two entrances to access this school, but are not taking into consideration that they will be bringing high volumes of traffic to a very quiet, child-friendly neighbourhood.
I took the time to go knocking on doors with a petition against the school’s access on our street and in our neighbourhood and spoke to parents with young children who are concerned for their safety due to high traffic.
We all know what type of traffic and crazy driving behaviours schools bring to a community.
There are always complaints and concerns for traffic in and around school areas by parents. A large volume of children get driven to school. The safety of my and other children in a quiet residential area is my concern.
Building a new middle school is going to create many problems with traffic, safety concerns and unwanted wildlife.
Nathalie Quinn,
Anmore
© Coquitlam Now 2009
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For more information regarding the proposed building of Heritage Middle School please contact:
Village of Anmore - Anmore Mayor Hal Weinberg, Councilor John McEwen, Councilor Kerri Palmer Isaak, Councilor Mario Piamonte, Anmore Councilor Chris Sedergreen. 2697 Sunnyside Road, Anmore, BC, V3H 5G9
School District 43 – SD43 - Tom Grant Superintendant of Schools, Dan Derpak, Assistant Superintendant of Schools, Holly Butterfield School Trustee. 550 Poirier Street, Coquitlam, B.C. V3J 6A7
Comments
12 Responses to “Why not re-use empty schools -2-”
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February 19th, 2009 @ 10:24 am
I imagine the issue is that no such empty middle school exists in our area. Obviously, it is nonsensical to begin bussing children long distances to schools beyond their catchment creating traffic issues for communities whose youth would not constitute the student population.Thanks to all who are getting involved in this discussion…
February 19th, 2009 @ 11:32 am
I agree with Tammy…the point is that a school is needed HERE for OUR children..the site is perfectly situated and already has fields and facilities that can be utilised. It seems that you don’t mind if it inconveniences another neighbourhood just as long as it is ‘not in my backyard’ Anyway the site has been proposed for a Middle School for many years, the plans were there before the High School was build and the sub-division!
February 19th, 2009 @ 1:34 pm
? Why not use existing schools opposed to building a new one - That question can be answered after a full costing analysis has been done - I would imagine in most cases that bringing up to code an old school costs more than building a new school - as well - The old schools are not equipped with size and technology that exists in our new schools today - The population is growing rapidly in the tri-cities - especially in the Heritage / Anmore area - so school expansion is a must - we must embrace the fact that population shifts occur over the years - so using an old site will not be beneficial as transportation cost / emmissions will go up as these sit outside of heavy density pockets - there has not been a newspaper that I have not read in the last 15 years fighting for more schools - Now we are getting one and people are complaining - The school has been in the community plan for quite some time - so the residents around the new proposed school should not be surprised - If its a traffic concern - I suggest people take that approach only - We should work within what we have in terms of location and SUPPORT our governments for solutions - To merely suggest to renovate an old school is not the proper avenue to take - The comment made that the empty schools are costing tax payers money is totally incorrect - These buildings have been paid for and written down many years ago - simple accounting 101 - The value of that land is still an asset to the residents of BC and when the time is right - we will all benefit from a propsed new development -
February 19th, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
Actually I did look into the location of the closed schools in our area and one of them is Coronation Park Elementary, its located just down below near Ioco (135 Balmoral Dr., PoMo.)
Also College Park Elementary, this one is not too far from Moody Middle I believe?? So yes I did my homework before writing in this letter not to look like a fool. The only thing I can admit to is I’ve never driven by these schools to see there land size and size of buildings. Was just asking the question if these already cleared land with buildings on them can be re-used.
February 19th, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
Denny,
The comment was not towards the empty schools, I was actually talking about the tax payers money going towards a new school.
So you answered why you think we can’t re-use these school, at least someone answered me.
Funny how some people say things like lets work together to come up with some solutions. Yet when I question why we have to build a new school and are not able to re-use what we have people get angry at such a suggestion.
February 26th, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
It seems to me that the most reasonable solution would be to refurbish or enlarge existing schools to meet the need rather than invest in huge new infrastructure in an inconvenient location with environmental issues to boot. Sounds like a no-brainer to me!
March 29th, 2009 @ 2:54 pm
[...] Why not re-use empty schools -2- [...]
March 29th, 2009 @ 2:56 pm
[...] Why not re-use empty schools -2- [...]
March 29th, 2009 @ 2:57 pm
[...] Why not re-use empty schools -2- [...]
March 29th, 2009 @ 3:01 pm
please refer to these additional blog posts
More NEW Money FOUND for School District 43 … when is the announcement?
NO FIRE / EMERGENCY RESPONSE plan for Heritage Woods Middle School in Anmore
NO POLICING plan for Heritage Woods Middle School in Anmore, BC
More NEW Money FOUND for School District 43 … when is the announcement?
Summit Traffic Report - Try to avoid the 8:30 AM & 3:00 PM rush.
Heritage Woods Middle School, Anmore BC - TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDY
INCREASE GHG EMISSIONS proposed by School District #43
Heritage Mountain - Enrolment Projections
-2- Proposed School - Requires Anmore Bylaw Enforcement Officer?
Why not re-use empty schools -2-
I’m PRO Education
Summit Middle high risk to get to school when it snows
a number of assaults, both within and outside of the schools
Condoms, broken beer and various items have been found on school grounds
School talk ~ about town ~ traffic/parking
city has a number of concerns about the planned middle school…
A Sign of the Times - Anmore & SD43
Port Moody Police Annual Report - What about the proposed Anmore Middle School
Anmore Mayor and Council to Rush Rezoning for SD43 - Heritage Woods Middle School
Dan Derpak Assistant Superintendant
Tom Grant Superintendent of Schools
holly butterfield school trustee
March 29th, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
[...] Why not re-use empty schools -2- [...]
March 30th, 2009 @ 5:32 pm
For more information regarding the proposed building of Heritage Middle School please contact: Village of Anmore - Anmore Mayor Hal Weinberg, Councilor John McEwen, Councilor Kerri Palmer Isaak, Councilor Mario Piamonte, Anmore Councilor Chris Sedergreen. 2697 Sunnyside Road, Anmore, BC, V3H 5G9
Michael Rosen – Planning Consultant
School District 43 – SD43 - Tom Grant Superintendant of Schools, Dan Derpak, Assistant Superintendant of Schools, Holly Butterfield School Trustee. 550 Poirier Street, Coquitlam, B.C. V3J 6A7
Tom Grant Superintendent of Schools
Holly Butterfield school trustee