Regional District of Nanaimo and Cedar School and Community Enhancement Society will be looking to extend a lease for the Cedar Heritage Centre.
Regional district directors approved a motion, directing staff to begin talks with the society on an extension for the lease and site licence agreement for the former school and community hall until December 2018.
Alec McPherson, Cedar area regional district director, said the agreement details responsibilities of the regional district and the society in regards to such items as maintenance.
“Basically once you get on the external part of the building, whether it’s the roof or that type of stuff, those are all things that belong to the regional district, but internally, they’re just required to keep it in good repair,” said McPherson.
The regional district provides a yearly amount of about $4,000, allowing for immediate repairs inside the building, said McPherson. An agreement is expected to be ready for the middle of the month.
“We have a meeting scheduled for Nov. 19 for the electoral Area A parks, recreation and cultural. By then I understand we’ll have the agreement in front of us with the other party having indicated their [approval], if that’s the case, it’s just a case that we pass the motion to the board to have that approved,” said McPherson.
He also said he estimates the board could vote to approve the extension in January.
Darlene Plaxton, heritage centre building administrator, said the society is looking forward to extending the deal.
It is a building that sees a lot of use in the community, she said.
“It’s been a good partnership and we’re looking forward to continuing to work with the [regional district] and look after the building and use the building,” said Plaxton.