While most Okanagan school districts are struggling both financially and with enrollment, for School District 23 (SD 23) in the Central Okanagan, it’s a much different story.
Many classrooms are nearly at capacity and Superintendent Kevin Kaardal hinted new schools are likely on the way.
“Right now we’re operating at a very high efficiency, so 98 per cent capacity for example. We’re actually looking for new schools in some of our neighbourhoods,” said Kaardal.
It’s because of this growth and financial security SD 23 can finally break ground on building a new $10-million dollar school board office, a plan that’s been on the books since 1997.
The office is being built on Hollywood Road in Rutland, right next door to the current school district education centre.
“That’s the reason we can do this,” said board secretary-treasurer Larry Paul. “We are in a growth cycle not in a decline cycle like other districts.”
The other big piece to the puzzle was gaining capital for the new office by selling the current one.
It’s been on the market numerous times, most recently for sale since 2014.
Now, the contractor for the new office, K West Equities, and the school district have struck a deal.
K West Equities will build the new school board building then buy the current office and its four acres of property once the build is complete.
The current board office was on the market for $6.5-million, but just how much it’s being sold for is still under wraps and so too is what will be constructed on the site.
Construction on the new building will start immediately, with an anticipated opening date of August 2017.