In May 2024, the Qualicum School District announced that they planned to close both the Qualicum Commons (744 Primrose Street in Qualicum Beach) and Craig Street Commons (330 Craig Street in Parksville) as rental facilities due to substantial capital costs. 

Tenant leases in the Qualicum Commons and Craig Street Commons were renewed for a one year term, ending on June 30, 2025.

The school district estimates there is "$4-5 million worth of capital work needing to be addressed at the Qualicum and Craig Street Commons facilities. These costs include new roofing, HVAC units, electrical systems and boilers. It has been shared that, while the Ministry of Education and Childcare provides funding through its Capital Program to address these expenditures in educational facilities and schools, they do not support non-educational facilities, such as administrative, operations or closed/rental facilities; it is left with the local School Board to find the funds to do this capital work, through facility/land sales or by operating fund reserves." Although the rental revenues cover most of the operating costs associated with running the facilities, there is no funding to support the capital needs for these buildings. 

In June 2024, the School Board decided to postpone the decision on whether to close the Commons and issued a Public Notice for Qualicum Commons and a Public Notice for Craig Street Commons seeking community input on the best uses for these properties and invited written comments from the public on or before October 11, 2024. 

Both Commons are currently home to numerous local organizations that use the space for education, childcare, recreation, arts and culture, and family support services, all of which enhance the overall health and wellbeing of our community. 

Organizations in the Commons include: 

• • BC & Alberta Guide Dogs (VICD)

  • Bonaventure

  • Bright Star Montessori

  • Buffy Trupp Counselling

  • Coast Karma Learning Group Ltd & Society

  • Kids Park Paradise Childcare

  • Little Star Children's Centre

  • OBLT - Munchkinland

  • Oceanside Integrated Fitness Society

  • PacifiCare Family Enrichment Society

  • RDN programs

  • Society of Organized Services

  • Sources

  • Qualicum Beach Community Garden Society

  • Qualicum Beach School of Dance

  • Qualicum Weavers and Spinners Guild

If the Commons are closed or sold, these organizations may be forced to find new locations or potentially cease operating. This would have widespread negative impacts for Oceanside as there is a lack of space in our community that would meet the needs of many of these service providers. 

It's important to note that if new childcare spaces were found for the three childcare centres at risk, it takes significant time for new childcare spaces to be modified and assessed to meet provincial standards. This will worsen the current shortage of childcare spaces in Oceanside.

On September 4, 2024 we were pleased to see the recent joint News Release from the Qualicum School District and the Town of Qualicum Beach regarding a potential collaboration opportunity regarding the Qualicum Commons. Although it is encouraging to know that both parties are collaborating to find solutions for the future of Qualicum Commons, we want to see both Qualicum and Craig Street Commons sites will continue to serve the community by bringing together organizations that support the vibrancy and wellbeing of Oceanside. We will continue to share information on our efforts with both the Qualicum School District and the Town of Qualicum Beach (along with the City of Parksville, RDN, Qualicum First Nations and Snaw-naw-as First Nation) in hopes of finding synergies and collaborative solutions. We welcome the opportunity to discuss collaborative efforts with any interested parties. 

We strongly believe both Commons, as they are now, hold significant value to the Oceanside community. We will continue to work on finding solutions.