The former French Creek School on Hwy. 4A is posed to become RDN property after voters in Area F gave their approval for its purchase via a referendum over the weekend. (RDN)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

next steps

Referendum successful for $1.3M purchase of former French Creek School by RDN

Oct 27, 2025 | 12:06 PM

PARKSVILLE — Buying a former school property is likely proceeding following a referendum process.

A majority of voters in the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Electoral Area F, encompassing Errington, Coombs and Hilliers passed a referendum for the RDN to purchase the former French Creek school property on Hwy. 4A for $1.3 million.

Preliminary results counted on Saturday, Oct. 27 showed 265 votes (64.8 per cent) for, and 144 votes (35.2 per cent) against, including ballots cast on two advanced voting days and Saturday’s referendum.

Around $824,000 of the purchase price is set to come from long-term borrowing, with the remaining funds pulled from community reserve accounts and the RDN’s Community Works Fund.

Projections indicate nearly $23 will be added to Area F home property taxes per year, over a 10 year term.

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Provided the purchase goes through without any issue, what happens next to the property is uncertain.

The RDN has said a majority of the 3.7 hectares of land, including a field and a playground, would remain a community park.

Use for the buildings on site would be determined through public consultation, according to the RDN.

The referendum question for eligible voters was: 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?

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