8 - Friday, January 17, 1992 —- North Shore News Board moving too quickly, parents charge Irwin Park group concerned over Hillside Middle School move MGNDAY night’s West Vancouver District 45 School Board meeting was dominated by continued controversy over the relocation of Hillside Middle School to the Caulfeild Plateau. Linda Mitchell, representing the Parents in Support of Middle School/Caulfeild Plateau group, expressed a vote of confidence in the board's decision to proceed Ratepayers rally to save Olde Caulfeild WEST VANCOUVER DISTRICT COUNCIL WEST VANCOUVER’S Lower Caulfeild Ratepayers’ Association has been re-activated to preserve ‘‘Olde Caulfeild.”’ By Maureen Curtis Contributing Writer The area is one of West Van- couver’s oldest neighborhoods and was attractively laid out by pio- neer developer Francis Caulfeild with large lots and meandering toads. But as even this area has been invaded by monster homes, the association has informed West Vancouver District Council that its members are researching the possibility of reducing the allow- able building envelope, increasing setbacks, and possibly increasing the minimum lot size for subdivi- sions in the area. The association may also wish to have the streetscape and arca designated as a heritage area. ‘*,..the area itself with its am- bience and history could con- ceivably be preserved as a heritage area,’ association chairman Diane Sherwood wrote to council. Sherwood stated that there had been unanimous approval at a re- cent neighborhood meeting to pursue preservation tactics. “It is a beautiful area and should ‘be preserved,’’ Mayor Mark Sager said at West Van- couver’s Jan. 6 council meeting. Park By A.P. McCredie Contributing Writer with the implementation of the lan. Stated Mitchell, ‘‘On behalf of parents throughout West Van- couver who are interested in the future of education, we support the efforts of the school board and staff to rejuvenate our school district with the development of the new Caulfeild Plateau Middle School.’” But opposition to the plan voic- ed at the meeting was based on the feeling that the board was moving too quickly and that some of the board’s data regarding population growth was incorrect. Gerry Humphries, of the Irwin Park Parents group, expressed concern about the sale of a long- term asset (Hillside) for what he considered a short-term gain. He questioned why the board would not sit down with him and other Irwin Park parents and discuss the options in greater detail. In a written response to ques- tions raised by the Irwin Park group, the board stated, ‘(The proposed new school) is not about capacity in the short term, but about facility renewal and pro- viding appropriate facilities for an education geared to the 21st cen- tury. This has been the goal since the beginning of the process.”” As to the sale of a long-term asset, the board stated that it was “rich in land and poor in quality facilities. Redevelopment of Hillside is the only means of renewing our Middie School facil- ity.”’ Trustee Margot Furk questioned the board, as did several members in the audience, on why financial commitments had been made to building the proposed schoot — the hiring of an architect — when there are still such outstanding questions as municipal permits to be resolved. JUBILEE PLYMOUTH CHRYSLER Aura Shaw ‘92. AUTO SHOW PRICES IN (EFFECT! '92 BRAND NEW SUNDANCE S Fully appointed including. air-conditioning, AMIFM cassette, sunroof, quick order okg. 222, MSRP $13,450, Rebate $1,250, Jubilee Auto Show Oiscount $1,025 Mamienance tree teace, 36 moring Saree, 980-8501 EEE | oyals Going Completely Loony = 975 or °305 * Prices EnOwn are net of factory concessions Add applicable tases, Hreignt A PDI —. = ] acon | Janua Trustee Jean Ferguson pointed out that such expenses as architec- tural estimates were essential for the board to make sound financial decisions. In an effort to dispel the notion that the construction of one school in favor of the destruction of another promoted an ‘us versus them’’ mentality, a theme harbored by some of the parents in attendance, Ferguson said, ‘It was certainly never the intent of the board to see that (pitting one parent’s interest against another's) happen. EE WEST VANCOUVER SCHGOL BOARD “The intent of the board was to make a long-range decision for the best interest of the students in the community and the people in the community. “We sat down and we said what can we do for this communi- ty and what would be in the best interest of the students and the taxpayers for the next 15 to 20 years. That is what we have done.”’ SKI WEAR SALE Don't Miss Out! \\ Ladies one and 2 piece Ski Sulis from designers such as: NILS, SKEA, LUHTA AND KAELIN B5ale Starts Today ee eee at Fashion for the discriminating man & woman. 1457 Bellevue Ave., West Van. 925-9454 Open Sundays 12-5