CBE files statement of defence in special needs school lawsuit
Posted Aug 27, 2014 7:15 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Calgary Board of Education has filed a statement of defence in a lawsuit aimed at keeping a school for special needs students out of a northwest community.
The board says it’s in response to a suit filed earlier this month by about 30 residents of Varsity who don’t want the new Christine Meikle School built in Varsity Acres.
The CBE wants to replace the school by moving it from its current location in Bridgeland to a new site on 50th Street N.W., because the outdated design of the current school doesn’t serve the 75 special needs students.
The school will be built where there’s currently a park, but upset residents say the board declared the parkland surplus in 2003, meaning it’s required by law to be given to the City of Calgary to be designated as municipal reserve land.
The suit says the area doesn’t need a new educational facility and the residents are seeking compensation for reduced property values.
Varsity resident Joel told City News, he’s not happy with the board’s decision.
“I feel there are many good places you could put it other than such a nice green space in the middle of an urban area, I mean, you’re not just going to open up another green space like this ever again,” he said. “I feel it’s maybe an ill-considered decision and something they should put more thought into and pick an area where you don’t have to destroy a beautiful park.”
Neither the CBE nor the lawyer for the residents is commenting on the lawsuit.
A public presentation will be held at 7 p.m. on Sept. 17th at the Education Centre to show the latest design concept drawings and plans for the school.
