The Cowichan Valley School District has received provincial funding to tear down the old Crofton Elementary School, which has been unused since a replacement school opened in 2009.
Funding of $650,000 was announced Friday by Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley, and has to be used by March 31, 2020.
“It will be a fairly quick process,” said Cowichan Valley school board chairwoman Candace Spilsbury.
She said many people have supported demolishing the old school, which opened in 1948, citing break-ins, an arson fire and graffiti.
“We’ve been hearing concerns from the community for some time,” Spilsbury said. “And, of course, the board has had equal concerns.”
Spilsbury said the district has tried to maintain the building, which has been boarded up since its replacement opened. What will happen to the property has not yet been determined, she said. The future of the land was considered as part of a community consultation last spring.
“They want things to enhance the community, so it could be affordable housing, it could be community gardens, it could be seniors’ housing.”
The school was built on about a hectare of land that combined 20 lots, with contributions of land from North Cowichan municipality and the Crown, along with land purchased by the school district, Spilsbury said.
