January 13, 2011
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Port Edward moving ahead with plans for new school
On January 11 the District of Port Edward took the first steps towards a new school in the community, giving first three readings to a bylaw that would allow them to borrow $2 million to construct a facility attached to the municipal office on Pacific Avenue.
Plans for the building, which comes with a price tag of $2.5 million, call for a storage room, washrooms and a front office where the ramp and walkway to the community hall now sits, and an extension that includes two administration offices, a classroom for kindergarten to grade two students, a classroom for grades three, four and five, a multi-purpose classroom and a library, with the hall running between the rooms and the side of the community hall.
However, the bylaw needs approval from the electorate, and council has chosen to use the counter-petition process which would see a referendum needed if 10 per cent of residents over 18 sign a petition opposing the bylaw.
“This is an opportunity for residents to voice opposition if they choose to. The opportunity to sign will run until February 22, which gives the statutory 30 days to squash the bylaw,” said chief administrative officer Ron Bedard.
“We have 405 Canadian citizens over the age of 8 in Port Edward, so if more than 41 people sign the petition then the bylaw is dead and we have to go to referendum…After 4:30 p.m. on February 2, we’ll know for the February 22 meeting if we will be able to move forward.”
According to Mayor Dave MacDonald, using counter-petition instead of referendum saves the district approximately $5,000. If a referendum is needed, the most likely time would be during November’s municipal election. However, he said the key here is to show that council is serious about keeping a school in the community.
“The main thing is that we are moving forward and showing the Prince Rupert School District that we are more than willing to work with them to keep a school in Port Edward,” he said, adding that the district would apply for grants to cover any shortfall.
“We’d rather not have to do this, but our choices are slim.”
According to the bylaw, if approved the maximum term for repaying the debt would be 25 years. Any Port Edward resident who wants to sign the counter-petition can do so at the Port Edward municipal office.
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