Exploring new uses for old school
The Surrey School District wants suggestions for how to use the now-closed Fleetwood Elementary School building or the land it occupies.
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Do you have a good use for the now-closed Fleetwood Elementary School and/or the land it sits on?
The Surrey School District wants to hear from you.
The Surrey Board of Education is asking for expressions of interest for its building and/or property near 152 Street and 88 Avenue.
Anyone, including businesses, local governments, developers, community groups or societies, are welcome to submit proposals for possible uses of the old school location.
The school, originally opened in 1944, was closed in June of this year due to its less-than-optimal location near three major roadways (Fraser Highway, 152 Street and 88 Avenue) and because of the building's need for extensive and costly renovations and upgrades.
The call for proposals is simply an opportunity for the school district to consider other options before pursuing demolition or putting the property on the market, said spokesman Doug Strachan.
"It's a way to explore the degree of interest in the community for the building or property," he said.
"The board wants to be informed. There may be an arrangement that might be better than the outright sale of the property. If it's not profitable to sell it and there's interest in leasing it or whatnot, the board may consider that."
There also may be community organizations that come forward with a proposal that could be beneficial to the community, he added.
The building and site are being offered "as-is-where-is."
There are "significant issues" with the mechanical and electrical systems and asbestos in the school that limit the buildings "useful life," reads the Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI).
The district would not pay for any costs associated with proposals that are submitted or accepted and none of the proposals are binding.
The Fleetwood Elementary site is 2.1 hectares (5.2 acres) and the building is 3,750 square metres. The building and land are currently appraised at $7.3 million.
The RFEI can be dowloaded at http://www.sd36.bc.ca/general/news/2009/RFEI.html
The deadline is Dec. 1.
sreynolds@surreyleader.com
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