Another set back for childcare; School District votes down City's offer to buy Max Turyk building
The Free Press (Fernie)
September 18, 2008
By: Caroline Faucher

Last month it seemed that Fernie was finally going to see the birth of childcare service when the city amended the budget to include the purchase of the Max Turyk building. But the situation took another turn as School District No. 5 decided not to sell the building after all. A secret vote held by the trustees determined the immediate future of the building and delayed the opening of a daycare in Fernie.

…Ronan MacCon, chair of the Fernie Childcare Society (FCS). "It looked very positive. I have an email here from a member of the school board saying that it is an utmost priority to sell the school to the city."

According to MacCon, the people of Fernie need to know why they are being held up and who is responsible for this.

Minister and East Kootenay MLA Bill Bennett, who worked with the FCS in obtaining a grant for the daycare, is frustrated by the decision.

"The only way that maybe we can light a fire under the school board to get something done here is to make this public," said Bennett. "Why the board would not proceed is just beyond me. [...] We have families that are waiting for daycare and I just don't understand why School District No. 5 is delaying this."

Bev Bellina is one [of] the trustees that voted against the sale of the building.

"We are now looking at repurposing some of the schools that were closed," said Bellina mentioning an announcement made by the provincial government with regards to reusing the closed schools.

"If it is still within the ownership of the school board, the school board has some control of the programs that are going in, especially now that they (the government) are looking at this, promoting the community use of schools."

However, Bennett does not agree with the reason given by the trustees and is now urging the board to sell the building to the City of Fernie.

"As a minister of the crown, I can say with authority that they are wrong. That is not a reason to decide not to sell the school to the City of Fernie," said Bennett. "I strongly urge the board to proceed with the sell of the school to the City of Fernie, so Fernie can get these childcare spaces."….