New site keeps centre from closing

By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star Staff Jul 01 2007 http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/

A large child care centre in Vernon has been given a temporary lease on life. With its current space at Beairsto elementary school unavailable this fall, the North Okanagan Child Care and Montessori Preschool Society is moving into the now vacant West Vernon elementary school for the next year. “I’m very excited, very happy,” said Lynne Reside, society executive director. In May, the Vernon School District gave the society notice that it would have to leave Beairsto after 12 years because the basement is required for classes. A lack of space in the community placed the society’s future in doubt, but the school district has now agreed to lease out eight classes in West Vernon for the next year. West Vernon closed last week because of low enrolment.

“We’re probably going to dispose of the property so we can’t go beyond one year,” said Bill Turanski, school district chairman. “It gives them an opportunity to find alternate locations.” Turanski says the district didn’t want to evict the society from Beairsto but there was little choice. “We’ve been actively trying to find them an alternate location and when this opportunity (West Vernon) arose, we jumped at it,” he said. The district will decide in September if it will sell West Vernon elementary or pursue a long-term lease with a local organization. The society, which serves 107 children, will move into West Vernon Aug. 1.

“It gives us another year to look for another place or to see what happens with Beairsto,” said Reside. And because the West Vernon classes are slightly bigger than the Beairsto space, the society will be able to expand to 150 children. Those extra spots will be specifically for after-school care. “That’s a real benefit because there is a shortage of after-school care in the community,” said Reside. The society will also continue to offer after-school care at All Saints Anglican Church.