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Crofton petition on old elementary school demolition surpasses 500 signatures

It’s now in the hands of MLA Doug Routley for presentation in the legislature in October
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The blitz of the Crofton community for signatures on a petition calling on the provincial government to demolish the old Crofton Elementary School reached its target of more than 500.

“After official count, we have 527,” noted Dan Robin, who spearheaded the campaign along with Shannon Carlow.

“Considering we have a population of around 1,500 people, that’s a 33 per cent support which is more than most elections have for important votes.”

Nanaimo-North Cowichan MLA Doug Routley takes it from here.

“Doug Routley will take it forward when the legislature sits in fall,” Carlow indicated.

“According to Mr. Routley’s office, the petition will be in hand when parliament sits again on October 1st,” added Robin. “At that point, Mr. Routley has assured us that this issue of the old Crofton Elementary School’s demolition and revitalization of the land will be elevated to ‘Top Priority’ and the funds that are needed to be released from the Slippage Funds will be approved.”

The petitions were circulated on the street and storefronts from Aug. 4-19.

“It’s the Crofton community’s vision to have the condemned building removed and at least part of the school’s lands turned into an attractive addition to the area,” Robin indicated. “Once funds have been approved, meetings will be held to hear what the town would like to see happen with the land. Then we can recommend to the Municipality of North Cowichan, who will be in control of land use, the need for a new community space combined possibly with structures that could be like affordable or seniors housing, or a green space to name a few.

“When a community rallies together, it shows we are a community that cares where we live, what happens here and where we are headed. People we have talked with are loving this community and hope the provincial government does what’s needed to get this done and improve our town.”



Don Bodger

About the Author: Don Bodger

I've been a part of the newspaper industry since 1980 when I began on a part-time basis covering sports for the Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle.
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