Board of Education approves 10-year lease of Plymouth school site by Lions Gate Christian Academy
The Board of Education approved a 10-year agreement for the Lions Gate Christian Academy to lease the Plymouth School site at the Board's Public Meeting on April 29, 2014.
The agreement was arrived at following a six-month process that began in October of 2013 when the Board issued a Request for Proposals for the future use of the Plymouth school site. The LGCA emerged as the lead proponent from this process and is currently working through the District of North Vancouver’s rezoning application to allow for the relocation of the school’s modular unit and gymnasium to the Plymouth site prior to September 1, 2014. As the rezoning review is still underway, the LGCA retains the right to terminate the lease if they are unable to secure the approvals to rezone.
The lease agreement represents another successful outcome for the School District’s land management initiatives. Revenue will be applied to ongoing capital needs in the School District, similar to the Fromme, Lonsdale Creek, Maplewood, and Westover sites, the property is retained by the Board for possible future needs. As well, the use of the site as a school is complementary to its past use in the neighborhood, and the arrangement supports a stable and consistent use of the site for the next ten years.
“This lease with the Lions Gate Christian Academy represents another solution in our land management initiatives,” says Franci Stratton, chair of the North Vancouver Board of Education. “We’re pleased to have an agreement that meets our objectives and the needs of their school community.
The negotiation of a lease agreement with the Lions Gate Christian Academy (LGCA) for the use of the Plymouth facility and site has progressed to the development of an Agreement for consideration by the Board of Education. With the assistance of their consultants, the LGCA are continuing their due diligence process in consultation with the District of North Vancouver.
March 12, 2014
Community Feedback at Public Information Meeting
The Lions Gate Christian Academy (LGCA) held a public information on March 5, 2014 at Plymouth School to provide an opportunity for neighbours and community members to view the proposed plans for the re-use of the school and to answer questions. The meeting was arranged in consultation with the District of North Vancouver Planning Department. Opportunities for input were provided to those attending the Open House.
Approximately 75 people attended the information meeting and shared their comments and perspectives on the proposed use of the school. While there were supportive comments regarding the re-use of the school, there were also a number of concerns related to traffic mitigation plans and their continued application over the time of the proposed lease.
The Lions Gate Christian Academy, with the assistance of their consultants, is continuing with the due diligence process in consultation with the District of North Vancouver.
February 18, 2014
The Lions Gate Christian Academy (LGCA) and the North Vancouver School District are proceeding with the due diligence process and related lease negotiations. As part of the due diligence process, the Lions Gate Christian Academy will be meeting with the District of North Vancouver Planning Department to determine the process necessary for the proposed re-use of the Plymouth building and site. Once the dates for public meetings are confirmed, the School District will assist LGCA with communication to the broader community.
February 7, 2014
The Board of Education announced at its Public Meeting on January 21, 2014 that Lions Gate Christian Academy (LGCA) is the lead proponent for the Plymouth School facility and site. The Board and LGCA will commence negotiations on a lease agreement. It was also announced that Darwin Properties and Morningstar Homes (Polygon) are the reserve proponents for the Plymouth site.
Any requirements for rezoning, re-use, or public consultation regarding the Plymouth site will be determined by the District of North Vancouver. Notice of any impending public meetings will be posted on the North Vancouver School District website.
At the Public Board Meeting on
January 21, 2014, John Lewis, Superintendent of Schools, provided a Land, Learning and Livability Community Engagement Update. Information about the Plymouth facility and site was included in the Update.
Meetings were held in December with each of the previously short-listed candidates including Darwin Construction, Polygon Homes, and Lions Gate Christian Academy. These meetings provided each of the proponents an opportunity to clarify details related to their proposal and to ensure that their respective proposals were clearly understood.
Subsequent to these meetings, a review was conducted of each proposal and reported to the Board of Education. Upon careful review and consideration, the Board tentatively identified a lead proponent, with other proponents retained in reserve, contingent upon the successful completion of a period of due diligence for both the lead proponent and the Board of Education. Confirmation and communication of the lead and reserve proponents will likely occur at the Public Board Meeting of January 21, 2014.
As the proposals include the potential for re-use and/or redevelopment of the Plymouth school and site, we anticipate the need for a public meeting consistent with the District of North Vancouver public assembly policy requirements. To provide additional time for the planning and communication of this expected meeting, the meeting previously tentatively scheduled for January 28, 2014 will now be rescheduled for later in February.
December 16, 2013
The date of the public meeting for the presentation of selected final proponents is tentatively scheduled. An update on proposals for the Plymouth School site will be provided after January 15, 2014.
November 22, 2013
Update on Proposal Process
The closing date for Proposals from each of the previously short-listed candidates (Darwin Construction, Polygon Homes, Lions Gate Christian Academy, and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is November 29, 2013. Options for consideration include purchase of the building and site, a pre-paid, long-term lease of the site, or a shorter-term lease of up to 10 years.
Proposals received will be reviewed and evaluated during December 2013. A public meeting for the presentation of selected final proponents is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at Plymouth School. The arrangements and date of a public meeting will be confirmed no later than December 16, 2013.
October 23, 2013
Candidates Invited to Resubmit Proposals
Negotiations with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) for the development of a longer-term (20-year) lease, enabling the re-use of the school as an educational facility for skills and trades training concluded in early October. Although both parties contributed significant time and energy to the lease negotiations, both parties were unable to come to terms that were mutually beneficial to both the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the School District. The parties agreed to conclude negotiations, rather than proceed to a formal lease.
Both the North Vancouver School District and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation maintain a sound belief in the value of a skills and trades training program for young adults in North Vancouver. Both parties look forward to further collaborating on the concept in the future should a new opportunity arise.
The School District has invited each of the previously short-listed candidates (Darwin Construction, Polygon Homes, Lions Gate Christian Academy, and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation) to submit a revised proposal for consideration by the Board. Options for consideration include purchase of the building and site, a pre-paid, long-term lease of the site, or a shorter-term lease of up to 10 years.
Proposals will be due in late November for review and evaluation during December. The identification of a lead proponent is anticipated during January 2014.
Plymouth School opened in 1969 as a public school and closed in 2010. More details
