French Creek School and Parkland Engagement

On Saturday, October 25, 2025, electors of Electoral Area F approved, through referendum, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) to borrow up to $824,000, plus interest, to purchase 2350 Alberni Highway, Coombs, from School District 69. The purchase was completed in early 2026. The RDN Board provided direction for RDN staff to engage with the community on future uses of the property and facilities before providing recommendations for Board consideration this upcoming Fall.

The property includes the former French Creek Community School building, a separate gymnasium building and a field with a playground currently operated as French Creek School Community Park. The original schoolhouse dates back to 1911, with the balance of construction dated to 1977. The buildings are 16,843 square feet and the property is 9.15 acres (3.7 hectares). The Community Park is 6.61 acres (2.674 hectares) which is approximately 72 per cent of the property.

We want to hear from the community. To take part in the survey, ask questions and receive updates, please sign up with your email using the registration button at the top of this page. Your input will help the RDN understand the community's needs and guide the planning and development of the property.

Take Part, Stay Informed and learn more:

  • Subscribe to receive email updates
  • Check out the What's New updates for the latest information
  • Explore this webpage to find out more about the property in the Background Documents and Photos
  • Check out the FAQ's, which answer common questions, more will be added based on what we hear
  • Attend the open house celebration on June 24, 2026 - Concluded
  • Complete the survey by July 10, 2026, to share your thoughts
  • Ask a question and we will do our best to answer it and share the information with everyone
  • To learn more about the referendum and how we got here please visit the referendum project page

On Saturday, October 25, 2025, electors of Electoral Area F approved, through referendum, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) to borrow up to $824,000, plus interest, to purchase 2350 Alberni Highway, Coombs, from School District 69. The purchase was completed in early 2026. The RDN Board provided direction for RDN staff to engage with the community on future uses of the property and facilities before providing recommendations for Board consideration this upcoming Fall.

The property includes the former French Creek Community School building, a separate gymnasium building and a field with a playground currently operated as French Creek School Community Park. The original schoolhouse dates back to 1911, with the balance of construction dated to 1977. The buildings are 16,843 square feet and the property is 9.15 acres (3.7 hectares). The Community Park is 6.61 acres (2.674 hectares) which is approximately 72 per cent of the property.

We want to hear from the community. To take part in the survey, ask questions and receive updates, please sign up with your email using the registration button at the top of this page. Your input will help the RDN understand the community's needs and guide the planning and development of the property.

Take Part, Stay Informed and learn more:

  • Subscribe to receive email updates
  • Check out the What's New updates for the latest information
  • Explore this webpage to find out more about the property in the Background Documents and Photos
  • Check out the FAQ's, which answer common questions, more will be added based on what we hear
  • Attend the open house celebration on June 24, 2026 - Concluded
  • Complete the survey by July 10, 2026, to share your thoughts
  • Ask a question and we will do our best to answer it and share the information with everyone
  • To learn more about the referendum and how we got here please visit the referendum project page

  • Successful Open House Celebration

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    Thank you to everyone who attended the French Creek School and Parkland Open House on June 24. We appreciate you taking the time to explore the property and complete the survey. Sharing your thoughts and input will help guide the Regional District of Nanaimo in determining the future use of the French Creek School and Parkland, ensuring the space reflects the needs and priorities of the community.

    We’re grateful for your continued interest, ideas and enthusiasm as we work together to shape the future of this important community asset. Thank you again for being part of the process.

    The survey will remain open until July 10, 2026. Staff will then prepare a summary of what we heard through the survey's for the Electoral Area F Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee meeting in September and we will continue to post updates to this page as they become available.

    Thank you to everyone who attended the French Creek School and Parkland Open House on June 24. We appreciate you taking the time to explore the property and complete the survey. Sharing your thoughts and input will help guide the Regional District of Nanaimo in determining the future use of the French Creek School and Parkland, ensuring the space reflects the needs and priorities of the community.

    We’re grateful for your continued interest, ideas and enthusiasm as we work together to shape the future of this important community asset. Thank you again for being part of the process.

    The survey will remain open until July 10, 2026. Staff will then prepare a summary of what we heard through the survey's for the Electoral Area F Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee meeting in September and we will continue to post updates to this page as they become available.

  • Open House Celebration

    CLOSED: This event has concluded.
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    Join us in celebrating the purchase of French Creek School and Parkland and provide your input to help the RDN determine the future use of the property. This event is an opportunity for residents of Electoral Area F to learn more about the property, ask questions and provide their ideas and priorities for use of the property.

    There will also be activities, facility tours, games and refreshments.

    Where: French Creek School Community Park, 2350 Alberni Highway, Coombs
    When: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 4 - 7 p.m.

    Join us in celebrating the purchase of French Creek School and Parkland and provide your input to help the RDN determine the future use of the property. This event is an opportunity for residents of Electoral Area F to learn more about the property, ask questions and provide their ideas and priorities for use of the property.

    There will also be activities, facility tours, games and refreshments.

    Where: French Creek School Community Park, 2350 Alberni Highway, Coombs
    When: Wednesday, June 24, 2026, 4 - 7 p.m.

  • Get Involved

    We’ve officially launched the French Creek School and Parkland Engagement project page - a central hub for updates and engagement opportunities.

    To kick things off, we’re inviting residents to:

    1. Attend the open house celebration on June 24, 2026, to share your ideas, concerns and priorities
    2. Complete the online survey by July 10, 2026


    Your input will help the RDN understand the community's needs and guide the planning and development of the property.

    To view the news release please visit rdn.bc.ca/notice-2026-06-10-0

    We’ve officially launched the French Creek School and Parkland Engagement project page - a central hub for updates and engagement opportunities.

    To kick things off, we’re inviting residents to:

    1. Attend the open house celebration on June 24, 2026, to share your ideas, concerns and priorities
    2. Complete the online survey by July 10, 2026


    Your input will help the RDN understand the community's needs and guide the planning and development of the property.

    To view the news release please visit rdn.bc.ca/notice-2026-06-10-0

Page last updated: 25 Jun 2026, 11:48 AM