Towards a New Oak Bay High School

Broad-based Consultation Complete

We have now completed the Broad-based Consultation Phase of planning for our new school.  We wish to sincerely thank all of the staff, students, parents, neighbours, other community members, interested groups and potential partners for your input and for the rich conversations that we have had over the previous six months.  They have challenged us and informed us, and represent a critically important part of ensuring that our new school will ultimately be one that we can all be proud of.  This does not end consultation.  As we move into the Design Phase, we continue to discuss potential partnering possibilities and will be looking for input on more focussed questions over the coming months.

The next goal is to complete a Project Definition Report which can be submitted to the Ministry of Education.  This should take 4 to 6 months.  Once the Ministry approves the report, they will release funding and we can begin to plan further detail and start to organize for construction.  We hope to have a ‘shovel in the ground’ late summer/early fall 2011.  All during this process, we continue to commit to keeping everyone appropriately informed.

This letter was sent to the School Board and school administration, as well as the Municipality of Oak Bay by a group of Armstrong Avenue neighbours.  They have offered both suggestions and support in the spirit of consultation for this exciting new project.

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February 23^rd, 2010

Issues of importance:

• To take a holistic look at the site including the location and nature of buildings and spaces, opportunities for community use (now and in the future), and pedestrian, bike and vehicle transportation to and from the overall site
• The fact that the site is Aboriginal traditional land, and that Aboriginal art and other cultural elements should be prominent in the new development
• Parking and field noise
• Delicately and appropriately balancing the various interests from staff, students, parents, alumni, neighbours and community partners so that the result is a point of pride for all

Key questions & answers:

• Was renovation of the current buildings given serious consideration and what is the history of this decision-making?  The project is currently in its 17^th year.  In 1993, a seismic assessment placed the two Oak Bay High buildings in the high risk category.  In 2002, the Ministry of Education spent approximately $250,000 to study the two buildings for renovation planning but concluded that the cost for renovation was significantly greater than the cost of replacement, and that the 1929 building could not be brought into compliance with a renovation.  The project was set aside for 6 years.  Then, in 2008, the Ministry conducted a second study which confirmed the previous conclusion.  In the spring of 2009, the Ministry announced that funding would be provided to replace the school.
• What will be the decision-making group going forward?  While the Ministry of Education assigns ultimate decision-making authority to the School Board, there will be a design committee which will include members of the School Board, the Oak Bay Municipal Council and school district staff.  School Board and Council members have stated that they see themselves as partners in project planning.
• Has thought been given to underground parking?  This will come during the design phase but currently remains a potential option.
• Has thought been given to the height of the building in order to minimize the school’s footprint?  This will come during the design phase but the Ministry of Education typically sets three stories as a limit due to access issues for the mobility-challenged, as well as potential visual impact on the neighbourhood.  A strong case would have to be made but it currently remains a potential option.
• What are additional funding possibilities?   Under the Neighbourhood Learning Centre initiative, the Provincial Government may provide up to 15% of the envelope of a building which is developed with a community partner.  This is being actively investigated by both the school district and community members.
• How have Aboriginal interests been considered? Very soon after funding was announced, the Principal met with District Aboriginal staff to begin to plan how to appropriately acknowledge traditional territory and interests, to respect the Aboriginal artifacts that could be found on the site during construction, and to ensure that Aboriginal culture is reflected appropriately in the finished building(s).

What do you see for the new Oak Bay High School and surrounding public spaces?

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

7:00 PM

Oak Bay High School Cafeteria
(Central Entrance in the Heritage Building)

Panelists include: Nils Jensen, Oak Bay Councillor
Michael McEvoy, School District Trustee
Lorna Curtis, Director of Oak Bay Recreation
Dave Thomson, Oak Bay High Principal and Garrett Brisdon Vice-Principal,
Jody Watson and Ian Graeme, CRD Bowker Creek Initiative Representatives
Rod Windjack, Project Architect
And Jim Soles, School District Building Project Manager

Hosted by the Community Association of Oak Bay
www.caob.ca

Notes from the Alumni Information Night, February 10, 2010

Issues of importance:

• Communication with neighbours
• Potential footprint of new school
• Placement of field lights
• Parking and events noise

Key questions & answers:

• Will urban designers be involved?    Yes, when we begin Design Phase, there will be a full complement on the team: environmental engineer, city planner, etc.
• Will students be involved?  Two grade 11 students have been involved in the Focus Group meetings from the beginning.  They will be organizing several student information/input forums at the school with time, space and refreshment provided.
• Will there be shops in the new school and community access to them?  Yes, we are not sure which shops as auto mechanics and woodwork are currently well-enrolled but metalwork is not.  We intend to plan our shops for flexibility, including consideration for lab space for ‘high technology’.  Consideration for community access will be part of the planning process.
• What is the expected trend in school population?  The population should remain around 1200 (local) students for the foreseeable future.  The School Board vigorously negotiated with the Ministry of Education to accept the 1200 figure and will be providing funding to build the school at a 1300 student figure (to accommodate International students).  It may be possible to receive more funding from the Provincial government – perhaps as a ‘Neighbourhood of Learning’ Centre.
• What are the future possibilities for the site?  On-going discussions will consider phased development possibilities which may include things such as a new Oak Bay Library, a public plaza, child care spaces, greater access to school spaces, among other.

Most of the discussion was around clarifying what were the key interests in designing the school:

• A 1300 student replacement school (MOE/earthquake – $ avail until 2011)
• An acceptable experience for students, staff and programs
• A performing arts centre with a 450 seat theatre
• Two full size sports fields
• A Gold LEEDS building or better
• Community access and continued attention to community needs before, during and after construction
• A green corridor along Bowker Creek and flexibility for possible future phases

This followed by a re-consideration of the proposed site designs and general agreement that, barring an unexpected $5 Million donation, it makes sense to consider renovating the existing East gym.  This will still leave a need to raise $1.5 Million.

The next information session will be sponsored by the Alumni Association and will be in the Theatre on February 10, 2010 (Alumni AGM at 6:30; New School Info Session at 7:30).

There will be another sponsored by the Oak Bay Community Association in the Cafeteria at 7:00pm on February 23, 2010.

2 groups will be hosting information nights regarding the new school.

• the Oak Bay High School Alumni Association will host its Information Night on Feb. 10th in the theater
• the Oak Bay Community Assoc. will host its Information Night on Feb. 23 in the cafeteria

Both evenings will feature a small panel comprised of a school official, an Oak Bay Council member and various other project stakeholders.

The evenings will begin with a short presentation of the process so far, and will conclude with a question period.  Your feedback is very important to us.  We only get to build a new school once, and we want to do it right!

We’ve taken your feedback and compiled it.

This document is the raw compilation of your feed back.
This document is an edited down version of the feed back.

Thank you very much for your comments. We couldn’t do it without you!

Oak Bay High will always strive to be a beacon of excellence in education and we wish to ensure that our new facilities are up to the challenge.  As such, we will need your help.  In order to build facilities worthy of the name “Oak Bay High School” — such as a top rated performing arts center, world class sports fields and 21^st century technology – we will require community involvement and financial contributions.  If you can help, please feel free to contact the school.

Let’s make this the best Oak Bay High School Ever!