The Sea to Sky School District has renewed its expression of interest in developing a multi-use facility in partnership with the District of Squamish.
During their meeting on Jan. 12, the school board attached a letter they had sent to the District on Dec. 14.
It's an addition to the ongoing communications SD48 has been sending to the municipality.
Both the school board offices and the municipal hall are aging buildings that are due for replacement.
For the time being, the District has decided that renting out a building — as opposed to constructing a new municipal hall — is the least costly path for taxpayers and has chosen that option.
However, it will cost close to $1 million a year, and critics — including a former mayor and former CAO — say paying rent to a developer will leave the municipality with nothing to show for it in the long run.
They've been pointing to a possible partnership with SD48 that could help split the bill for a facility to lower the costs and still have at least partial ownership over a building.
The letter in the school board meeting agenda said that the board discussed a letter it previously sent to the District in November, which expressed interest in a partnership for a joint building.
The discussion in December further emphasized the board's interest in partnering for a multi-use facility, the letter said.
"At this point, we believe that our participation in a future multi-agency community hub has the potential to involve a number of different uses that will be of benefit to us and to the public," reads the letter.
"Modern office space that include[s] conference rooms and adequate space are of immediate benefit. Beyond that, we are very interested in exploring uses such as child care, pre-school, mental health, adult education, and post-secondary partnerships. As discussions and visioning proceed, other opportunities may arise that provide added value to the citizens of Squamish, while allowing School District No. 48 to effectively fulfill its mandate to students, parents and the community."
The letter also states that SD48's secretary-treasurer, Danielle Haverstock, recently received a message from the municipality's director of facilities proposing a meeting this month.
"We look forward to working with the District of Squamish," reads the letter, signed by board chair Rebecca Barley.
In response, the District of Squamish told The Chief that a meeting between the two parties had occurred.
"Staff have been working with SD48 staff throughout the discussion of the Real Estate and Facilities Master Plan," wrote spokesperson Rachel Boguski. "Staff have met and will continue to meet, and we look forward to the ongoing dialogue."
