The cost to refurbish the old South Wellington Elementary School into a community centre has increased once again, with the new budget sitting at $3.9 million. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

Community centre

Costs continue climbing for rural Nanaimo community centre project

Oct 17, 2024 | 4:20 PM

NANAIMO — A third budget applies to transforming a long-closed school into a community centre to serve the South Wellington and Cassidy areas.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) board of directors recently approved another $1.1 million to remediate the old South Wellington Elementary School site.

Refurbishing the building, a responsibility of Electoral Area A taxpayers, is now estimated to cost more than $3.9 million, up significantly from the original $1.5 million estimate.

While Electoral Area A director Jessica Stanley told the meeting that the transition has been an adventure, she reinforced her support.

“Although there’s been some surprises and cost escalations along the way that admittedly are quite painful frankly, it’s still a really worthwhile project that I think will bring much benefit to the community,” Stanley said.

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The former one-storey school site is slated to see six existing classrooms reconfigured into activity rooms.

A learning activity centre, kitchen and high-efficiency heat pumps are planned for the facility.

An RDN staff report noted cost estimates in 2020, 2021 and last year were determined through non-invasive onsite reviews.

“Continued site work and intensive investigation into the building’s operating systems and structure have recently determined that some systems originally thought to be in such condition that repair or upgraded was possible and regulatory approvals met, are in fact beyond such remediation and need to be replaced.”

Cost drivers include additional building code, electrical system, parking and water supply enhancements.

It was also revealed that exterior stairs could not be retained and must be replaced entirely, according to the RDN.

The RDN has a lease agreement with Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools until 2047 to use the school building.

Outdoor amenities on the property is comprised of a play field, playground and sports court to serve as a community park.

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Ian.holmes@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes