FAQ - Disposition of Property

Disposition of Property

From September 30, 2024 to November 12, 2024, the District is engaging in community consultation as part of the Disposition of Real Property public consultation process. As we gather feedback and questions, this page will be updated with Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.

If you have questions or further feedback, please email Feedback. 

Important note: We do not provide answers to all individual emails. We will collect questions and answer them in this FAQ section.
Q: Do all 3 parcels of land have to be sold to satisfy the debt of the school district?

A: The deficit is in the Operating Fund and the purpose of the sale of land is to rejuvenate capital assets and the Capital Fund, which is separate from the Operating Fund.

The reason the Board is looking to sell the properties now is that the District needs to replenish the Local Capital Fund and this is one way to accomplish this.
Q: Were educational uses / purposes the only things considered?
A: At this time, we are looking at education uses only as that is the mandate of the school district.
Q: How would the street access to Arrowstone be provided? Or anticipated? Curious. Thank you so much.
A: This is one of the reasons we are looking to sell the Arrowstone Drive property. Since this location is landlocked, access would have to be provided through one of the adjacent properties.
Q: What is the timeline that these parcels of land would become available to purchase by the public?

A: This is partially dependent on the Ministry of Education and Child Care. The District will conclude our consultation at approximately the end of November 2024. After the survey closes on November 12, 2024, the consultation evidence and feedback will be shared with the Board. The Board may then choose to extend the consultation or decide that broad consultation has been satisfied and submit to the Ministry. The Ministry takes 90-120 days for review.

Following that process, the Board may choose to sell the land through Board motion. The public would then be informed of the decision in approximately February/March 2025.
Q: Should the Board decide to sell these properties, what does that process look like?
A: If the Board decides to sell the properties, we would put out an RFP to the public, indicating the minimum value that would be acceptable based on appraised values. We would then accept responses to the RFP process.
Q: What will the money be used for if the properties sell?

A: The money from the land sale would go into capital assets, where it could be used towards large capital projects (i.e., a new school if announced) or local capital expenses (such as classroom furniture and equipment, computers for students and staff, maintenance vehicles, and equipment). 

At this time, the District can’t confirm what funds would be available for which projects as the Ministry has the ability to restrict the funds and how they are used, which will not be known until the process is complete.
Q: What role could the parcel adjacent to Sa-Hali secondary play in advance of a new school being built in Aberdeen. We do not want 5 block rotations for our high school students.

A: One of the reasons the District is looking at the disposal of this property is we don't see it adding value to Sa-Hali Secondary.

There is a large elevation difference between this land and the school, which creates a challenge for accessibility.
Q: What role does the District play in child care through the Ministry of Education and Child Care? Should the parcels be considered for after school care or preschool?

A: The role of the District is to apply to the Ministry of Education and Child Care for capital funding and support to build child care in our District. 

The District tends to build child care facilities on school grounds as there are good synergies with having child care on school properties due to having playgrounds and sufficient parking.
Q: Does Arrowstone Property have access from the main road?
A: It does not currently have access to the main road.
Q: Why are these parcels of land being considered for sale at this time?  In particular Parkcrest Park which is used by the community frequently as a green space for soccer, other sports, gathering, etc.

A: The potential sale of property is reviewed annually by the Board of Education through the District’s Facilities Department. Numerous factors are considered, including collaboration with partners, the economy, and potential educational purposes.

These three pieces of land were chosen because they are not suitable or large enough for educational purposes.
Q: Will any party have the opportunity to submit an offer to purchase the lands, should they be approved for sale?
A: If approved by the Board and Ministry, there will be a public RFP process. As long as potential bidders meet the criteria outlined in the RFP they would be able to submit an offer. 
Q: I wish that the Parkcrest property could be sold to the City for continued use as a green space and a field for teams. Is this a consideration?
A: The City of Kamloops is one of the District's largest partners. If the City Council has interest in the land they can enter the same RFP process as all potential purchasers.
Q: Is there an opportunity to provide additional inclusive education opportunities for at-risk students (expansion of TREC or @KOOL site for group work, another Chris Rose Centre, or Insight partnership) to meet the needs of students not attending full time in other schools?
A: Any new District building would have to be funded by the Ministry of Education and Child Care and be included in the District’s Capital Plan to be prioritized with other capital and school priorities.
Q: Can the Arrowstone Property be developed as a community centre in conjunction with school, city, and non-profit organization?

A: Through consultation, if this becomes a recommendation it will be presented to the Board.

At this time, we are interested in furthering the Board’s ability to potentially sell the land. If any partners are interested in working with the District to purchase the land for a specific use, we could explore options to work together where suitable (i.e., with the City of Kamloops).
Q: On the Arrowstone parcel, will the sale include an access easement off the school property? Is that possibility being considered?
A: There will not be an easement off the school property as the school's access off Arrowstone is quite constrained already.
Q: Could modulars be placed on the parcel adjacent to Sa-Hali Secondary?

A: This could be possible if it was a desired use and if modulars are available. 

At this time, this is not a desired use. If it became a need, it would need to be added to the District’s Capital Plan to be presented to the Ministry of Education and Child Care and then prioritized with other capital and school priorities. As part of consultation, this can be presented to the Board as an option to consider.
Q: How about student housing in partnership with TRU on Arrowstone Drive property and long term economic sustainability too.
A: This was not considered because housing development is not a core mandate of the District. The District’s focus is on educational purposes.
Q: My dealings with other districts around the province, I have heard from two districts that sold land and now regret it. Did you ask other districts their experience in this?
A: The size of the properties being considered are not big enough to house a school site so we have not consulted with other districts.
Q: How long until the expected secondary school in Aberdeen is built?
A: A new secondary school in Aberdeen is the number one priority on the District’s Capital Plan. A funding announcement would have to be made by the Ministry of Education and Child Care before the District could move forward with a timeline for this new school project.
Q: If there is more than one party interested in a property (say Parkcrest Park) will the deciding factor go to the highest bidder?
A: It is often true that the highest bidder is the successful applicant but there are other criteria the Board considers in the sale of property. Other considerations will be outlined in the RFP.
Q: Is it possible that community interest can supersede these properties being sold to a developer for housing?
A: The District is conducting this consultation process to gather feedback from the community that will be presented to the Board for consideration. The feedback will inform the Board’s decision and RFP criteria.
Q: I'm curious if you are going to list these properties for sale with a representative? 
A: The District will work with our Purchasing Department and legal council on the RFP, if and when the property dispositions are approved by the Ministry.

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