The Prince Rupert School District is putting Kanata elementary on the market, but it remains unclear whether or not any sale of the site could proceed.
The district is accepting sealed bids on the 6.23 acre site located just off Frederick Street between now, although the Ministry of Education has yet to green-light the sale.
“The government is keen to have people do this process. If we get a bid the district would seriously consider, we still have to go to the minister for approval before any sale could proceed,” explained secretary-treasurer Cam McIntyre.
“Right now we're just testing the market to see what the interest is ... it may be nothing comes from it, it may be something will. We won't know for a while yet.”
Kanata Elementary was closed in August, 2008, along with Seal Cove Elementary, while Westview Elementary was closed in 2010. Although there are three schools sitting vacant in Prince Rupert, McIntyre said Kanata made the most sense in terms of pursuing a sale.
“It is the one property the district owns clear title to. Seal Cove, reverts to the crown and the other, Westview, is a bit more complicated but would also go to the crown,” he said.
“If we are able to sell the site for a reasonable price it would be money that could go into capital projects in the future.”
The notice of sale indicates there is already “municipal support for single and/or multi-family development” at the former Kanata site.