Don’t hold your breath expecting an Amy Woodland Elementary School replacement coming sometime soon.

Kootenay Rockies MLA Pete Davis recently shared a response to his request for an update on the replacement of the Cranbrook school from the B.C. provincial government and the wait for a new school is going to drag onward.

In a June 9 letter to Davis, Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma said, “As part of Budget 2025, the province supported the Southeast Kootenay School District in moving forward with a business case to address the seats displaced by the fire. Ministry staff are currently working with the school district and the consultant team to finalize this business case.

“This work is expected to be completed in the coming weeks, after which the business case will be formally submitted for funding approval.

“Business cases can take 12-18 months to develop, with timelines influenced by factors such as project complexity, permitting requirements, funding considerations, the number of stakeholders involved, and the experience of school district staff. I have asked Ministry staff to work quickly with the Southeast Kootenay School District on next steps.”

Davis said the update “is extremely disappointing. They are still working on a business case, which they say could take another 12 to 18 months, and that’s before any work even begins. That means our families and students could be waiting far too long before they are back in their school.

“This is not acceptable. Our community deserves better, and I will not accept this timeline,” he said.

Ma noted in the letter she recognizes “the significant impact the loss of Amy Woodland Elementary has had on students and families in Cranbrook. I understand how important schools are to communities and that people are anxious for updates.

“When the September 2024 fire occurred, ministry staff worked quickly to support the Southeast Kootenay School District, parents and students. Resources and funding were provided to assist with temporary accommodations, transportation costs and school site clean-up. The school district quickly enacted a plan to redistribute students, staff and child care facilities to other schools across Cranbrook.”

Ma said she also recognizes that MLA Davis was once a student at Amy Woodland Elementary School.

“Thank you again for your advocacy on behalf of students at Amy Woodland Elementary – a school I know you attended as a student, and that holds a special place in the community,” she noted.

Davis said he will continue pushing the government “to move faster and make getting Amy Woodland School reopened a priority. Our kids, families, and community need action now not years of waiting.”

e-KNOW file photo

e-KNOW

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