Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools

South Wellington Project

This page will provide updates on the potential future use of the South Wellington school site.

Background

In the spring of 2019, the school district made the decision to apply for funding to demolish the building on the South Wellington school site.

In the spring of 2020, district staff entered into conversations with South Wellington community members.

At a special Board meeting held on Thursday, July 2, 2020, the Board made the following decisions:

  • That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) not proceed with the demolition of South Wellington Elementary School as part of the 2020-2021 Capital Plan;
  • That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) direct staff to consult with the Ministry of Education regarding the reallocation of the capital funds allocated to South Wellington Elementary School in the 2020-2021 Capital Plan be reallocated to the Selby Street properties; and
  • That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) amend the 2021-2022 Capital Plan to include a request for funding to demolish South Wellington Elementary School, subject to the District receiving a plan from an external organization that would provide for funding to upgrade and maintain the facility.

On June 23, 2021, the Board of Education approved the following motion:

That the Board of Education of School District No. 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith)  approve in principle the attached long term lease of South Wellington to the Regional District of Nanaimo for a period of 25 years subject to public consultation by the Board, support from the electors of the Regional District of Nanaimo, approval by the Minister of Education and final approval by the Board of Education in a public meeting scheduled for September 29, 2021; and that the Board Chair be empowered to provide public announcement in consultation with the Regional  District at the appropriate time.

Highlights from a draft lease with the RDN include:

  1. A 25-year Lease.
  2. RDN will upgrade the facility, including bringing it to the required seismic standard.
  3. That an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) be undertaken to satisfy condition precedent 6.1(b) of the Lease by December 31, 2022, and a report be prepared to the RDN Board on the results of the AAP.
  4. The Regional District obtains the approval of the electors required by Part 4, Division 2 of the Community Charter and Part 8, Division 3 of the Local Government Act.
  5. Each of the Conditions Precedent must be satisfied or waived in writing on or before December 31, 2022 (the “Condition Date”), or such other date or dates as may be subsequently agreed to in writing by parties, failing which this Lease will be null and void and of no force or effect.

On June 22, 2021, RDN staff presented the Lease to the RDN Board for approval. The RDN is currently in the process of their approval process with their community.

For further information on the South Wellington site:

Project Update

The community was invited to a virtual meeting held on Thursday, September 16, 2021. The public was given the opportunity to ask school district and Regional District of Nanaimo staff questions pertaining to the project.

Watch the September 16, 2021 public engagement meeting