'Huge loss' for people with special needs

by Melissa Ligertwood - Vernon Correspondent - CASTANET  Jul 14, 2013 / 8:27 am
More than 50 years of history may be coming to an abrupt end for the Vernon District Association for Community Living (VDACL).  Executive Director Eileen Howells says the group had been in negotiations with School District 22 for the past five years about plans to purchase the Dorothy Alexander Centre, located at the site of the old West Vernon elementary school. That is, up until one month ago when Howells says she learned the school district had decided not only to keep the building, but to evict the VDACL. “We were given notice that they are going to keep the building for school district programs. We now have three months to vacate,” said Howells. The VDACL, now more commonly known as Venture Training, started in 1955 in response to a need for special education programs. In 1961, the VDACL finalized two-thirds funding from the Ministry of Education to build a special education school called 'My School'. The school board of the time donated the land, and the VDACL worked with the community to fundraise the rest of the money needed to build what is now Dorothy Alexander Centre. In 1970, community members marched beside VDACL to fundraise for the construction of a gymnasium. Today, Venture Training serves over 200 adults with special needs through 13 programs at five different sites throughout Vernon, including residential properties. The school district has always retained ownership of Dorothy Alexander Centre, offering a low lease rate and first right of refusal should the buildings ever be put up for sale. Howells says that almost six years ago, the school district announced plans to sell when they decided to close West Vernon school. “That very day, we said we wanted to buy and we’ve been in negotiations ever since. In May of 2010, there was even a publicity event to announce approval from the Ministry of Education,” she said. “We made an offer and they accepted. We thought we had a deal.” The school district has stated they shifted gears two years ago, informing the VDACL that the buildings would not be sold and the lease would not be renewed. Howells says the decision whether to fight is ultimately up to the VDACL Board, but she’s been instructed to move forward with plan B – finding a new location. Although staying at the Dorothy Alexander Centre would provide the best opportunity to continue and expand current programming, she says, the VDACL needs to move forward. “I need to find a permanent home for my programs. It’s unfortunate because there is a great attachment to the building, but I don’t know what else we can do,” said Howells. Dorothy Alexander herself, the previous community educator for whom the building is named, continues to work and live in Vernon. Alexander is saddened by the news that the longstanding agreement between VDACL and the school board may be coming to an end. “This is a huge loss to the people of Vernon with special needs. It’s a vital part of who they are, that’s why they were trying to acquire the building in the first place,” said Alexander. She hopes that it’s not too late to reach a compromise. “Something should be worked out for the continued use of the gym and kitchen for people with special needs,” she said.