The Regional District of Nanaimo will ask voters for approval on long-term borrowing to purchase the former French Creek school in Coombs for $1.3 million. (RDN)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

elector approval

Referendum set for $1.3M RDN purchase of French Creek School property

Sep 11, 2025 | 9:43 AM

NANAIMO — Some residents in the Regional District of Nanaimo will head to the polls next month.

The RDN has set a Saturday, Oct. 25 referendum date on a $1.3 million purchase of the former French Creek School site on Hwy. 4A in Coombs, of which up to $824,000 (plus interest) would be financed through long-term borrowing.

Remaining money on the purchase would come from Area F community parks and halls reserve funds, and around $120,000 from the Community Works Fund.

It’s expected the loan repayment will add $22.71 to property taxes per household in Area F over the 10 year term of the loan.

The expansive property on Hwy. 4A would remain accessible to the public, with future use of the buildings to be determined by public consultation. (RDN)

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Already on the 3.7 hectare property is a gymnasium, along with a field and playground which is used as a community park for neighbouring residents.

Should the referendum be successful, and elector approval obtained, the future use of the buildings would be determined through public consultation while the field and playground would remain a community park.

Voters who live in Electoral Area F, which encompasses Errington, Coombs and Hilliers, are eligible to vote.

The referendum question will be: Are you in favour of the Regional District of Nanaimo adopting “Electoral Area ‘F’ Community Parks and Halls Local Service Property Purchase Loan Authorization Bylaw No. 1929, 2025”, which will authorize the Regional District of Nanaimo to borrow up to eight hundred and twenty-four thousand dollars ($824,000), plus interest, repayable over a period of no more than ten (10) years, to finance the purchase of a 3.7 hectare (9.15 acre) property located at 2350 Alberni Highway, Coombs, (known as French Creek School) for use by the Electoral Area ‘F’ Community Parks and Halls Local Service?

Advance voting days are planned for Oct. 15 and Oct. 22 at the Coombs Fairgrounds at 1014 Ford Rd., while general voting day will also be at the Fairgrounds.

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. all three days.

Mail ballots are available, with applications to vote by mail required to be in before 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 23.

An information session for affected residents is being scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds, where RDN staff will be on hand to answer questions about the borrowing and referendum.

Full details are available on the RDN website.

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