DRYDEN – Residents in Dryden are asking for more information over a possible move to change the Pinewood School property in the community to a First Nations educational and housing facility. On Tuesday evening in Dryden at a public meeting, resident expressed concerns over the plan. Some residents are worried that the area near the proposed facility will be less safe, and that their property values will be impacted.
The Keewatin-Patricia District School Board however are assuring residents that there will be more consultations with the community before a final decision is made.
The next steps are with Dryden Council as the city would have to approve the rezoning of the property first to permit the re-development to go forward.
At issue is what could be called a bridge program that would allow 14 and 15 year-old students to make an easier transition to high school. The long-term goal is increasing the number of Aboriginal students who would be better prepared for high school, and therefore be graduating from high school and in many cases moving forward to college or university.
For more information visit Keewatin Patricia District School Board.