#BuildSFA Update November 2020
At the school Annual General Meeting in February we announced that we would be looking for new solutions to achieve the school upgrades that we desire while keeping the budget within the previously agreed range for our Parish to support.
On October 7th we met with the Advisory Board to review the options document prepared by our development consultant and agreed to change the scope of the school redevelopment from a complete demolition and rebuild on our existing Victoria Drive site to a seismic upgrade and renovation of our existing building with the addition of a wing to hold the gymnasium, library, and some multi-use space. Our preliminary cost estimates indicate that this project would be achievable within the funding estimates that we proposed in our original Business Case to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver (RCAV). This would still include a Capital Campaign and would of course necessitate the sale and development of parish property.
We now have the architects (KMBR) of our original plan revising and simplifying their plans to meet this new design scheme. Once done we should have more clear information to share on the look and feel, costs, and timeframe for the new building. As this is a much simpler build, we should also be able to keep the children safely onsite during the construction.
While we have been progressing the redevelopment plans, we have also been preparing to jump-start our Capital Fundraising Campaign by taking the steps required once again to sell the convent site adjacent to the church. We have now received permission on behalf of the parish finance committee to sell the property, so we are in the midst of seeking the required formal permission from the RCAV. Once received we will start the listing process which we expect to commence in the new year.
The promise of a new and renewed St. Francis of Assisi elementary school will require the support of each and every one of us and we hope that we will all seek ways both large and small to support our efforts to build for the future. There are still many unanswered questions – such as – ‘When can we start!?’
We will be working with the City of Vancouver over the next couple of months to review and hopefully gain acceptance for our proposed new school plans and hope therefore to have concrete answers to your questions in early 2021. We know that for many of you the promise of a new school has been a long-awaited dream that seemed as though it would never come true. However, we always believed that prayer, patience, and planning would prevail.
And lastly, we realize that these last months have put many families under added emotional and financial strain so we will continue to pray for the health and safety of ALL within our community while we work to provide your families with a safe place of worship and education. We pray that the friendships and connection within our St. Francis of Assisi community are a source of comfort for you all.
With Blessings to you and your family,
Father Eugenio Aloisio
Pastor
Mrs. Anne Yam
Principal
