The Bowen Island Community School grounds with the playground and sports fields play an important role in the community as they are a hub for sports and recreational activities. But due to funding cuts, the hours for community access to the school and washrooms have been reduced since the fall of 2011. This has presented a challenge for sports team members, their families and those using the playground. At the Monday, July 23 council meeting, director of community recreation services Christine Walker spoke to council about the possibility of creating washrooms that are accessible from the outside.
"Community washroom access at BICS has been an ongoing challenge," Walker said. "It has been particularly a problem on the weekends because there is no custodial service and we have many activities and community uses beyond [regular school] hours. Over the summer, the school remains closed on weekends but we've arranged to have porta-potties on site." Walker explained that the Bowen Island Municipality has signed a new joint-use agreement with the School District 45 in May. "At this time, the school district brought forward the proposal of renovating the change rooms and building washroom access from the outside. They agreed to install doors that are located right off the tennis court and proposed to share the cost."
Walker said that she realizes that the municipal budget has already been passed and doesn't include this project but one of the options sees the school district footing the bill until 2013, when BIM can pay its half of the cost.
"The pro of this option is that there is construction work already under way at the school," Walker said, adding that the plumbing is already in place it just needs to be reconfigured and that cost efficiencies can be found because the contractors are already working on the site. "The big benefit is not only having washroom access for the community but it would also alleviate the pressure to bring in a custodian to open the school for additional hours," Walker said.
Walker explained that her department has identified grant funding that could potentially go toward the renovation cost. Deputy treasurer Kristen Watson spoke about the financial aspects. "We are looking at council to commit $10,000 to 25,000 which represents 50 per cent of the total cost. That amount would be reduced by the grant money," she said, adding that she sees a good chance of the grant applications to be successful as the project criteria fit well with the requirements for the Community Infrastructure Improvements Fund and the School Community Connections Program.
As another potential source of funding, Watson had identified the Community Recreation Reserve Fund. She said, "We are looking at $25,000 as the worst case scenario that comes into play if we don't get the grants and if the project is that expensive."
Watson said that there is a demonstrated community need and that the school district has agreed to take care of the maintenance. Walker added that a "magnetic lock would lock the doors after hours."
Councillor Andrew Stone cautioned that the money would have to be trimmed from next year's budget that already includes a number of items deferred from this year.
Counillor Cro Lucas said, "I see this as a practical solution to some of the problems we've had. Especially if we are successful in obtaining the grants, this is a very positive move forward."
Council approved moving ahead with the project.
