Community Consultation - Disposition of Real Property
The Board of Education of Sunshine Coast School District is considering the sale of two vacant properties on Hough Road in Gibsons (2.65 acres and 1.57 acres). These parcels, acquired in 1998, are not required for educational purposes. Proceeds from any sale would support capital improvements outlined in the District’s Long Range Facility Plan, including a dedicated transportation facility that directly supports students
As part of the Disposition of Real Property process, the Board is seeking community feedback. A public webinar was held on September 18, 2025, and consultation will continue to gather input on the proposed sale. The properties are located at the south end of Hough Road near Highway 101, within the Elphinstone area of the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
The following questions and answers summarize the rationale, process, and considerations around the potential sale of the Hough Road properties. They are provided to support transparency and help the community understand how this decision connects to the district’s Long Range Facility Plan.
PROPERTY DETAILS AND PROCEEDS
The Hough Road properties were purchased in 1998 and are not required for educational purposes. The proceeds from the sale will be directed to capital improvements identified in the District’s Long Range Facility Plan, including a dedicated transportation facility that directly supports students.
The two parcels of land under consideration are located at the south end of Hough Road in Gibsons, BC. Lot 1 is approximately 2.65 acres and Block 6 is approximately 1.57 acres.
The assessed value of the properties as of 2025 is approximately $1,500,000, while the listed price is $2,550,000.
The Board of Education purchased the properties from a private citizen in 1998 for $300,000.
No. Once sold, the buyer determines future use within zoning and other local regulations. The School District has no ongoing role after the sale.
Our contractor currently leases a facility off of Field Road.
The proceeds will help support the purchase of a dedicated transportation facility. This investment will reduce reliance on rented spaces, lower long-term operating costs, and free up resources to directly support student learning.
Currently, bus operations rely on rented space through a third-party contract, which limits flexibility and increases costs. In addition, electric school bus charging infrastructure requires significant investment. A district-owned facility would reduce long-term costs and provide greater flexibility for managing in-house bus service or entering into alternative contracts.
No. School districts are exempt from income and property taxes, so these do not factor into the analysis.
PROCESS AND DECISION MAKING
The decision-making process involves public consultation, including a webinar and opportunities for written feedback. The Board must then submit the proposal to the Minister of Education and Child Care, including details of the property and the consultation process. The Minister reviews the submission and informs the Board of the decision. If the sale is approved, the Board must pass a bylaw in a public meeting before the sale can proceed.
The decision and all updates will be shared through the District website (sd46.bc.ca) and public Board reports and meeting minutes.
Yes, there is an accepted offer for the Hough Road properties. However, the offer is conditional. It cannot proceed without two further approvals: (1) the Minister of Education and Child Care must give final approval, and (2) the Board of Education must adopt a formal disposal bylaw. Until these steps are complete, no sale can move forward.
Yes. Community input is an essential part of the process. The Board will review all feedback gathered through consultation before deciding whether to move forward with the bylaw. Consultation ensures trustees fully understand community perspectives alongside financial, operational, and student-centered considerations.
Yes. The district compared the costs and benefits of keeping the Hough Road properties versus selling them. Selling the land frees up resources to acquire a centralized transportation facility — a priority in the Board’s long-range facility plan. This will reduce operating costs, support bus electrification, and strengthen student transportation. To address future needs, the district has also evaluated nearby properties and is confident that its land base will meet long-term requirements for educational use.
ALTERNATIVE USES AND FUTURE CONSIDERATIONS
No. Other sites remain available as potential future school sites, such as portions of the Elphinstone Secondary property (approximately 5.76 acres) and the Gibsons Elementary property (a total of 10.28 acres). These sites are consistent with Ministry school site standards and provide adequate options for future needs.
While we understand the desire to imagine future student programming on these lands, these particular sites have been vacant for many years and are not anticipated to be required for future educational use.
Leasing was considered, but a sale is the only option that provides both financial benefit and relief from ongoing security and liability concerns. School districts also cannot take on long-term debt, limiting other options.
The Board’s interest in acquiring land for a centralized transportation facility is focused on reducing operating costs, supporting electrification of the bus fleet, and creating a more reliable base for operations. While we have engaged with community partners, including the SCRD, their timelines for related projects extend well beyond our immediate needs. For this reason, we are exploring alternatives that can be acted upon in the nearer term.
Yes. Solar arrays have been installed on six schools, generating more than 500,000 kW annually. These projects reduce utility costs, direct savings back to classrooms, and demonstrate the district’s commitment to sustainability.
We fully recognize that decisions about public land are significant and lasting. Any proposal to dispose of property requires approval from the Ministry of Education and Child Care, and the Board takes this responsibility very seriously. The consultation process is designed to ensure that community voices inform the Board’s deliberations.
Restrictive covenants are legally possible, but they significantly reduce the pool of buyers and lower the sale price. Our responsibility is to maximize value so that proceeds can be reinvested in facilities that directly benefit students.
No parties have approached the district with a proposal to lease these properties. More importantly, the district’s mandate is to provide K–12 education. The purpose of selling the Hough Road parcels is to acquire a centralized transportation facility — reducing costs, enabling electric bus infrastructure, and supporting students for the long term.