Sparwood school building has new purpose
Kootenay News Advertiser
July 21, 2010

The hallways of Mountain View Elementary School in Sparwood will once again be echoing with the voices of young children this fall thanks to partnering efforts between School District 5 and the District of Sparwood.

Earlier this year, District of Sparwood Mayor, David Wilks, approached the SD5 Board of Education with a proposal to accommodate early child care and leisure service needs in the community by opening up Mountain View Elementary School.

“We needed a new home for child care programs and Mountain View is the only space in the community which meets all the regulations,” said Wilks. “After school care was previously in the west wing of the elementary school and is an ideal location given its close proximity to F. J. Mitchell and leisure services.”

A lease agreement between the SD5 Board of Education and the District of Sparwood was approved at their June School Board meeting and includes a clause enabling the Board to reclaim a specified portion of the building for educational purposes if needed by the School District. A portion of the building will also be sub-leased by the District of Sparwood to Teck Coal which is currently expanding its Sparwood operations.

Sparwood Trustee Bev Bellina believes the repurposing of Mountain View Elementary School is a win-win for everyone….