Class Notes: Slow burn
Vancouver Courier
Naoibh O'Connor
September 23, 2009

The slow pace of bureaucracy takes the shape of a blue tarp on property at the corner of Kingsway and Joyce.

It covers the roof of a century-old, fire-damaged school building, which used to house two kindergarten classes--part of Sir Guy Carleton elementary.

The building was seriously damaged in an arson in March 2008. Students, parents, staff and the Collingwood neighbourhood have spent well over a year waiting for word on the fate of the heritage schoolhouse, even appearing at a committee meeting last March lobbying for its for restoration. Their wait continues.

COPE trustee Allan Wong, chair of the district's planning and facilities committee, said the provincial government has insisted the VSB state a case for the continued educational use of the building before it hands over the insurance money to fix it.

"We're insured through the province rather than a private insurance company, so the province said you'll have to show us the educational plans for it before they'll release the money. We're still working on the usage of it," Wong said….

Vision Vancouver trustee Sharon Gregson said she's determined to keep the issue at the forefront because it's bad for the school community. Gregson blames the provincial government for the delay. "Just to be clear, this is not the fault of the district. This is waiting for the ministry to step up," she said. "But I want to make sure with all the other issues our beleaguered facilities department is having to deal with that this issue doesn't fall off the agenda. I want people to be aware it's still waiting to be dealt with."

Gregson maintains there are lots of potential uses for the site, for example childcare, literacy programs, settlement programs or adult education….

Trustee Gregson is gearing up for the Sept. 30 inaugural meeting of the joint childcare council that the school board, park board and city council reestablished.

"It will be a full day of looking at where childcare is at with the three elected bodies and how we can move forward to create at least five per cent more spaces during this term," she said.

"It was a priority of mine to reestablish it, knowing the joint council was disbanded under the NPA. It was an election commitment."