The Town of Creston and the Regional District of Central Kootenay have partnered to keep the Creston Education CentreĀ open.
School District 8 is selling the CEC as well as the Compass Learning Centre on Prince Charles Secondary property to the Town of Creston for $550,000. The space is rented for five years for $1 for a portion of required space and year to year rent for $1 in the Compass Learning Centre.
Mayor Ron Toyota says the town stepped up negotiations after SD8 announced the centre would officially close in June.
SD8 announced they would be officially closing the centre after two years of trying to find a community partner. A few options presented themselves but no proposals passed preliminary stages and the district eventually listed the property on BC Bid.
Board Chair Lenora Trenaman says they were waiting for a more formal proposal, āIn January we determined we would sell, in keeping with our facilities plan and after that we had an offer come to us.”
She adds all the programs remaining within the centre are important to the board and the community.
Homelinks, Wildflower, Strong Start and the Itinerant Services offices will all remain at the centre, as well Valley Community Services will be a tenant in the building. Mayor Ron Toyota says they are working out the details with the Regional District of Central Kootenay to become tenants in some capacity within the centre.
Toyota add there are no plans yet for the building on 1621 Canyon Street on PCSS property.