— Last hurdles being cleared to obtain land next to Osoyoos high school —

(OSOYOOS TIMES — October 24, 2007) —

After years of trying to find a suitable spot for a new school, it appears the local Lutheran community has found a location and can now firm up plans for a bigger and better version of their Good Shepherd Christian School in the near future.
Gerry Gordon, of the Grace Lutheran Parish Board of Education, tells the Osoyoos Times the provincial government has basically approved transfer of a parcel of former Town test orchard land next to the Osoyoos Secondary School (OSS).
The transfer of the provincial Crown land, which the Town had been granted use of for its test orchard, will clear the way for the Lutheran Church to finalize its purchase of the property and settle on plans for a school building and program.
Gordon says the Parish Board of Education is already working on details of the proposed size and shape of the school and its program content.
The plan is to eventually have a nice shiny new school, Gordon says.
Good Shepherd Christian School is currently housed in the large lower level of Grace Lutheran Church, on Finch Crescent.
It has four B.C.-certified teachers “ including principal Angela Westcott “ who teach provincial curriculum to the kindergarten to Grade 7 students in the school. Enrolment has risen from just over 30 students in 2006 to 43 students this year.
Gordon says the property will need to be subdivided and rezoned to allow for the new school. Town Chief Administrative Officer Helen Koning agreed that rezoning and a change to the Official Community Plan (OCP) will likely be necessary.
Koning adds that proponents of public institutional facilities are also encouraged to submit their projects for review by the Town's Design Advisory Panel on such matters as the building's appearance and landscaping.
She notes the Town extended a helping hand to the Lutheran community by offering the land parcel for the new school site, and she says the Town looks forward to working with the Grace Lutheran Parish Board of Education when it makes its applications to the Town.
Gordon says, The school is well-supported by the community, and acknowledges the increasing enrolment.
He adds he hopes that with the future move to a regular, full school building, Good Shepherd will attract even more students.
We're only getting bigger and better, he says.