Future use of Mt. Begbie school gymnasium in question
Revelstoke’s School District 19 is looking at ways to redevelop and sell the old Begbie View Elementary School at 420 Downie Street. Currently it is used by the Revelstoke Boxing Club and the Rocky Mountain Cadets, whose future there is unclear.
Revelstoke School District 19 is looking to offload the old Begbie Elementary School, putting the future use of the facility by current tenants Revelstoke Boxing Club and Rocky Mountain Cadets in question.
The school was abandoned in 2012 when the new Begbie View Elementary was completed. As part of the Revelstoke Schools Project funding agreement between the school district, the Board of Education and the Ministry of Education, the school district needs to raise funds of $2.4 million as they dispose of decommissioned school property.
The old Mt. Begbie Elementary in Revelstoke’s Southside neighbourhood premises at 420 Downie Streets includes a gymnasium, used by the Revelstoke Boxing Club, and a library that is used by the Rocky Mountain Cadets.
Superintendent of Schools Mike Hooker wrote to the city in early December last year outlining the potential for the city to acquire the library and gymnasium and continue their current uses in the community.
But in a report to Revelstoke City Council, city staff recommend declining the proposal at this time.
The Revelstoke Mountaineer contacted Revelstoke Boxing Club’s coach Jason Stewardson, who was hopeful of the club’s continued use of the facilities.
“We do hope we can keep the facility for as long as possible,” he said. “We would like to find out what the future of the gymnasium is, as it will be very hard for us to find another facility that meet our needs.”
City councillors will discuss Hooker’s letter and proposal at the upcoming Feb. 23 meeting.
A report prepared for the school district by a consultant presents several different development configurations for the site, including possible subdivision layouts, and different parks configurations — some with the gymnasium intact, others without it.
View the City of Revelstoke staff report, and the school district’s report via this link (PDF).
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