Covenant Health could do what it likes with Riverside

By Tim Kalinowski on February 8, 2018.

tkalinowski@medicinehatnews.com @MHNTimKal

If Covenant Health is able to get approval from the Ministry of Education to buy the former Riverside School building from SD76, it will be completely up to them what to do with the property once the sale goes through, says superintendent of schools Mark Davidson.

“There were no conditions coming from our board with respect to the building,” he confirmed. “So they can do with it what they wish.”

Davidson says this means Covenant Health would not be required to preserve the current century-old high-maintenance structure if they wish to go another way once the land is purchased.

“If they intend to keep the building standing they would absorb all the maintenance costs,” states Davidson. “I don’t know if they intend to (keep it) at all.”

Covenant Heath plans to build a senior’s independent living facility on the site, and was able to win out over four other bidders in December.

The terms of the sale will not be disclosed until the education minister gives his stamp of approval to the sale, and a public meeting can be arranged by the school board. Covenant Health will also have to secure financing for the sale before the deal can be completed.

According to Davidson, SD76 will put money from the sale of Riverside toward other infrastructure needs in the district.

“The board is pleased they will be able to use those revenues to support other projects in our district buildings,” said Davidson.