2007
In the summer the VSB presented three seismic (renewal) options for General Gordon. Parents were upset that there had been no consultation and that the proposals were for a smaller school with fewer educational facilities and no space for after school care. (Modern standards require schools to be one third smaller than those, like Gordon, built 100 years ago). To lobby for a better solution a PAC committee was formed (the Gordon Renewal Committee), including a number of qualified architects with children at our school.
2008
After a great many presentations and discussions with the VSB and Premier Gordon Campbell, the province provided funding to explore the development of schools as community hubs, called ‘Neighborhood Centres of Learning and Development’ (NCLD). An NCLD would be larger than a school without community services. Gordon is one of three Vancouver schools selected to be a pilot NCLD.
2009
Parents, teachers, community members, social service agencies, the VSB, and the Ministry of Education took part in a visioning session in April 2009 to find the most important values of the Gordon community and discuss how a renewed school could reflect these. Further meetings were during the school year to identify specific community programs to be provided at Gordon (for example, child care). In October the results of the consultation and some outline ideas were presented at an Open House at the school. Parents provided further feedback.
2010
Disappointingly, the final report presented to and approved by the VSB in April 2010 was for a much smaller renewed school than at present (although larger than the original 3 options). The report highlighted key values expressed in the visioning process but they were missing from the actual recommendations, i.e. the issue of community services, heritage retention and a strong emphasis on environmental responsibility.
2011
Architects for this project were appointed by the VSB in January 2011 and a new process was announced which should result in a final decision my October 2011. A new advisory group has been established with two PAC representatives.
