For community members in Crofton, the wait is over for the demolition of an old elementary school that has become derelict since its closure in 2009.

“For too long, the concerns of people in the Crofton community were neglected, but I’m excited to announce our government is providing $650,000 to the Cowichan Valley Board of Education to finally move forward with the demolition of the old school,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the board and growing our relationship to improve schools for Cowichan students.”

The old Crofton Elementary school was left vacant and deemed unsafe for education purposes. The school also caught fire in 2018 and was no longer usable. The school was replaced on a different site in 2009.

With the funding now secured, the Cowichan Valley School District, as owner of the property, will be able to move forward with the demolition and make decisions about the future of the site.

“After a decade of waiting, this funding from the Province gives the school board the ability to create a plan that will rejuvenate this property and benefit the people of Crofton,” said Doug Routley, MLA for Nanaimo-North Cowichan. “This is the result of a great partnership between our government and the board of education, and I’m excited to see this process finally move forward.”

Funding for the demolition comes from the Ministry of Education’s Rural District Program. The program was introduced in April 2019 to support rural school districts in the disposal of closed and unusable facilities that are liabilities for school districts.

“We are excited to come back to the Crofton community, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, with this announcement,” said Candace Spilsbury, chair of the Cowichan Valley Board of Education. “Being able to demolish this building, which has caused considerable frustration to the community and concern to the board, is fantastic. The board would like to thank both the Ministry of Education, our staff and the dedicated community members who kept this issue at the forefront.”

This investment is part of B.C.’s record $2.7-billion budget for school capital projects over the next three years.