Don’t forget that the board of School District 73 will hold a public hearing next Monday, March 7, to discuss what to do with Dutch Lake School.
The hearing will be held at Clearwater Secondary School, starting at 7 p.m.
“The board needs to give an indication to the minister if the town wants the school,” said Mayor John Harwood. “Is it just the council that wants it, or is it the community?”
District of Clearwater wrote a letter to the school district last January asking that Dutch Lake School be turned over to the municipality.
“We have no definite plans yet but it opens the door for huge potential,” said the mayor.
According to the letter, the school building would be used for a regional community center. Possible uses would include the District’s administrative offices, the ICBC/Motor Vehicle office, and enhanced education center with videoconferencing, and a cultural center with museum. The gymnasium and playing field would be available for community, recreational and cultural events and activities.
The school board requires approval from the Ministry of Education before it can dispose of a school. This approval in turn requires that a public consultation process be done beforehand.
Dutch Lake School has been closed for about eight years.