Editor:
Re. Coast Reporter article, May 2: “Francophone School Building Plan ...,” we were part of those “14 members of the public” mentioned who “voiced their opinion on the project.” Let’s be accurate here: we all opposed the project as it is planned, even two or three Francophone parents who have children attending the existing Ecole du Pacifique. The new facility would include K to Grade12 and purportedly have 206 students. We were also informed that the new school would also be “available” for after-school events, again meaning an increase in traffic on an otherwise calm and peaceful street and neighbourhood.
The increase in traffic is a very real and imminent possibility that could mean, despite there being bus service, many of the students would be driven to school by a parent/caregiver and then picked up after school. For the sake of argument, say that 100 students/daycare children would be driven rather than bussed: that means that each parent/caregiver would be doing four trips/day which amounts to a total of 400 trips/day on a quiet residential street! Which wouldn’t include the possible traffic for events after hours and on weekends, and the buses in and out.
The article also notes “ ...a portion of the existing road right-of-way would need to be designated accordingly.” Medusa already has no parking on the upper reaches where the school would be located –– it is very narrow and has a speed limit of 30 km/hr. Turning a lovely, tree-shaded (and quiet) residential street into a horn-honking and much noisier thoroughfare is not progress. It sounds like the street signs then need to be changed from Medusa to “Rodeo Drive North.”
Thanks to both councillors Toth and Shepherd for requesting that the notification area be increased to include everybody affected and for bringing the concern over the increase in traffic forward.
Sincerely,
Melva and Gordon Bradshaw
Sechelt
