Newsletter: October 25, 2024

Neighbourhood survey results

We asked members to complete a survey in advance of our meeting with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Community Services. Response was overwhelming. 144 members completed the survey. Thanks to everyone for sharing your time to complete the survey. Your thoughts and perspectives contributed directly to the discussions we had with the Ministers.

The Association prepared a report of the survey and shared it with the Ministers at our meeting. We hope they will see the value in local citizens’ perspectives on this important issue. Perhaps it will inspire them to conduct a full public engagement on the project so they may benefit from a deeper understanding of the public’s concerns.

We have also delivered the survey report to the Leader of the NDP and MLA for Takhini-Kopper King, Kate White, and the Leader of the Yukon Party, Currie Dixon.

You can download the report here:

Meeting with Government of Yukon regarding relocation of Whitehorse Elementary School

On Friday, October 18, 2024, three members of our board met with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Community Services.

The Ministers agreed to correct the error in the document, “Choosing the future site for École Whitehorse Elementary School,” which currently cites the Association’s support for the relocation of Whitehorse Elementary School to Takhini, but did not commit to a timeline for doing this. We have followed up in writing to request they commit to a timeline for making this correction.

The Ministers reiterated their position that they consider Takhini the only option available for Whitehorse Elementary School, but did not provide any formal rationale. We have followed up with a repeated request for a formal rationale.

Following up on the Ministers’ decision to locate Whitehorse Elementary School to Takhini, the government is conducting a traffic study to measure the feasibility of that decision. We have requested the Terms of Reference for this study. The Ministers did not commit to providing this. We have followed up with a written request for it.

The Ministers indicated that they may consider publicly presenting the results of the traffic study. We have followed up with a written request that they commit to doing so.

We requested a meaningful and substantive public engagement to hear and acknowledge the community’s concerns, prior to a final decision about the location of Whitehorse Elementary School. The Ministers did not commit to this. We have followed up with a repeated request for a formal public engagement.

We asked that the government consider preserving the green space where they plan to build a multi-sports field beside the school. We suggested they consider reducing the size of the sports field and/or placing the school’s sports field on the current location of the eastern softball diamond, near the corner of University Drive and Range Road. The government did not indicate they will consider any change. We have followed up in writing with a repeated request that they reconsider preserving the green space.

Through the survey we conducted prior to the meeting, some members expressed safety concerns related to the future proximity of Whitehorse Elementary School to the Whitehorse Correctional Centre and Supervised Housing and Reintegration Program (SHARP) facility. We requested a commitment from the Ministers to develop and implement a security plan to manage the risks associated with these facilities. We have followed up with a written request.

The Association has a seat on the Project Advisory Committee (PAC). We expressed disappointment to the Ministers regarding the PAC’s recent failure to consider any of the interests of the Takhini neighbourhood. We indicated that we are considering resigning our seat as a result. The Ministers expressed that they would prefer the Association remain a member of the PAC. We have followed up with a written request that the Ministers ensure the Association is able to add agenda items to meetings and that the PAC begin considering the impacts of the school on the Takhini neighbourhood in the due course of all matters.

The Association's Position on the relocation of Whitehorse Elementary School to the Takhini neighbourhood

Unfortunately, due to the Ministers’ lack of commitment or response to most of the concerns expressed by the Association and its members, the Association finds it must remain without a position on the matter of the relocation of Whitehorse Elementary School to our neighbourhood. We will continue to work towards having those concerns addressed.

Volunteers Needed- Outdoor Rink

The City of Whitehorse will be installing a rink behind Takhini Arena again this year. They are seeking a rink volunteer for this location. Volunteers can sign up here: Outdoor Skating Rink Volunteer Application - City of Whitehorse

Firesmart funding available

There are two funding opportunities available for residents who wish to work with neighbours to improve wildfire readiness. These opportunities do not need to be administered through the Association. They just need a few keen volunteers to organise.

FireSmart Canada’s Prep day is to obtain support to host a community event in May to raise awareness of wildfire readiness.

The Neighbourhood Recognition Program is a more comprehensive scheme that enables a partnership between wildfire specialists and the neighbourhood to carry our hazard mitigation.

Applications for both open on November 1st. Contact Steve.Reid@whitehorse.ca for more information on support on an application.