The Okanagan Skaha School District said they are interested in an offer to purchase McNicoll Park School, which they closed last year.
When the board of school trustees was going through the process of selecting schools for closure last year, the province’s french language school board expressed interest in leasing McNicoll, should it be selected for closure.
The Conseil Scolaire Francophone already leases École Entre-lacs (formerly Nkwala Elementary) from the school district, but was finding that too small for their desired growth.
“In addition to being much bigger than the Nkwala school facility, McNicoll Park Middle is also in better condition and more attractive,” wrote Sylvain Allison, secretary-treasurer for the CSF. “It would allow the Conseil to offer middle school levels.”
More: School Board hears offers for closed schools
McNicoll was the only school of the three selected for closure not to receive funding when the province stepped in at the last minute with their rural school enhancement fund.
Now, the Ministry of Education and the CSF have made an offer to purchase the former McNicoll Park Middle School facility and surrounding site in order to meet the CSF’s growing enrolment needs.
The school board has consented to a short-term lease arrangement for the 2017-18 school year as an interim measure while discussions are underway.
