SCHOOL DISTRICT 8 - KOOTENAY LAKE
SD8 sells Kin Park property to Lower Kootenay Band and the Town of Creston

The Kin Park Property in Creston owned by School District No. 8, has been sold to the Lower Kootenay Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Yaqan Nukiy/Lower Kootenay Band and to the Town of Creston for a total purchase price of $355,000.

The District received offers to purchase the property from the Lower Kootenay Band and the Town of Creston and in the fall of 2020. An agreement was struck in which the Lower Kootenay Band and the Town of Creston will each own a section of the property. The Lower Kootenay Band will own two acres they have earmarked for new housing, and the Town of Creston will own 2.7-acres for recreational and community uses in keeping with the municipality's Official Community Plan.

Proceeds from the sale will go toward existing SD8 facilities to improve learning environments for students and staff.

The need for school facilities is determined by the Board of Education as part of a regular Long-Range Facilities Planning process, and the Board of Education updates its Long-Range Facilities Plan annually. The 2022 planning process gets underway this month, with virtual public meetings taking place in February across SD8 communities.

Under the current Long-range Facilities Plan, the Board of Education has adopted a 5-year facilities investment budget, called the Capital Operations Plan, under which it committed to a major sustained increase in annual funding to upgrade facilities in SD8, drawing on all sources of funding, including proceeds from the sale of surplus properties.

Both plans are available on the SD8 website and provide detailed information about long-range plans and planned investments in District facilities. About the

Board of Education of School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake):
The Board of Education of School District No. 8 provides educational services to numerous diverse communities in the East & West Kootenays, including Crawford Bay, Creston, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Nelson, Salmo, Slocan, South Slocan, Winlaw, Wynndel and Yahk. Its dedicated team focuses on providing the best possible educational opportunities for over 5,400 students and their families. Its mission is to focus on excellence for all learners in a nurturing environment.