School District 73 is taking the first steps in addressing the need for a new elementary school at Sun Peaks.

Board Chair Kathleen Karpuk says since they met with Sun Peaks officials and members of council to tackle the issue the planning has begun.

“We struck two committees out of that. We have an action committee that is looking short term. Where are we going to place portables? How fast are we going to be placing portables? And that is sort of over this summer and next and what are we doing for the immediate future. Plus we are going to be sending out invitations to join a long term steering committee to look at what the vision is of a school in that community.”

Karpuk says the door is open to partner with the community to build something that is more multi-purpose.

“It depends how things are going but for instance we can partner with the municipality. If the municipality wants a larger gym the municipality could potentially put in some extra funds. That has happened in other areas such as Logan Lake. They have a larger gym because the community contributed for part of that. So there is always the potential for partnerships that we can link things up.”

Population growth at Sun Peaks has pushed enrollment to its limit at the portable that acts as the community’s school.