As you are no doubt aware that on Friday, April 12, the new Penticton Regional Hospital was officially opened. It is a beautiful facility and one that we should all be very proud of. It was fantastic to see Mr. Kempe there, am amazing and very generous local philanthropist and community leader. Also on hand was Grandma Grace! One of our favourite memories of West Bench Elementary is Grandma Grace hugs and blessings; it was so lovely to see her again. Let me say, her humour and tell-it-like-it-is is just as I remember. She makes me smile. She makes me think.
Interestingly, the Minister of Education, Rob Fleming, penned a letter to school districts Friday to say the province will no longer place an emphasis on whether or not schools are at or under capacity when school boards apply for funding.
From the letter:
“To help you [local school boards] manage your existing facilities and allow school facilities to play a larger role in the community, LRFPs [long range facility plans] should have a much broader focus than just enrolment (sic)... LRFPs should... account for other important facility uses such as childcare, before-and-after school care, and community uses of school buildings.”
This is supportive of what the Greater West Bench community has been working towards with West Bench Elementary specifically '...community uses of school buildings'. I will keep the community posted as we continue to work with SD67.
Friday, April 12 was a good day.
Take care and thanks for reading.
Riley
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