The Greater Victoria school board has approved a land deal that will allow leasing of excess land at Victoria High School for affordable housing.
The land agreement involves the school district, the City of Victoria, the Capital Regional Housing Corp. and B.C. Housing.
The city and the district are exchanging land, with the district providing excess property in return for land closer to the school. The district will then enter into a lease for 2.15 acres with the housing corporation.
The decision at Monday’s board meeting follows a Nov. 12 open house that gathered input from the community. Money from a 60-year lease on the land, totalling $4.1 million to $4.5 million, will allow the school district to cover its share of the cost of a seismic upgrade at Vic High.
The building dates to 1914. The Ministry of Education announced funding of $77.1 million toward the $79.7 million project to refurbish and expand the school, leaving the district to make a $2.6 million contribution.
“The community and the board agreed that retaining heritage values was a key part of the Victoria High seismic upgrade project,” board chairwoman Jordan Watters said in a statement.
That was the most expensive option, leaving the district with a shortfall, she said. “We came up with an innovative solution with our partners that allows us to pay for our share of the upgrade, increase capacity for 200 more students and add additional amenities.”
The goal is to have the improved Vic High ready for September 2022.
