FAQ's

The RDN is holding an in-person open house celebration at the French Creek School property on June 24, 2026. Social media and a newspaper ad will be shared as well as e-newsletters for those who subscribe to this Get Involved RDN project page. 

Wednesday June 24, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at French Creek School Community Park, 2350 Alberni Hwy, Coombs. 

Yes, you can take the survey online though the get involved project page, or you can pick up and drop off the survey at Oceanside Place Arena or Ravensong Aquatic Centre. The survey will remain open until July 10, 2026.

Subscribe to this project by entering your email address and clicking the SUBSCRIBE button under the Stay Informed microphone image at the bottom of the page. Once you are subscribed, the message will change to: Thank you for subscribing. Once subscribed, you will receive updates directly to your email. 

The project page will also be updated as more information becomes available.

The property includes the former French Creek Community School building, a separate gymnasium building and a field with a playground currently used as French Creek School Community Park. The original schoolhouse dates back to 1911, and the balance of construction was completed in 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% of the property. The park includes a large field suitable for youth sports, a playground, and a paved area with a single basketball hoop . 

The gymnasium is 2,614 square feet, including 2,386 square feet of open gym space and an additional 228 square feet of storage. There are two washrooms and a small entryway. 

The school building is 14,229 square feet. There are eight rooms between 738 and 1,042 square feet each, and several smaller administration rooms. There are three washrooms on the main level plus children's size washrooms on the lower level and two of the rooms, previously used as staff lunch rooms, have some basic kitchen appliances.

The property is currently zoned as T1 - Institutional/Community Facility. Under this zone, the allowable uses include:

• Care Services
• Cemetery
• Dwelling Unit
• Fairground
• Funeral Home
• Public Assembly
• Public Hospital
• Recreation Facility
• School

To view the detailed definitions of these allowable uses, see section 5 of Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area 'F' Zoning and Subdivision Bylaw No. 1285. 

The gymnasium is large enough for: 

• 1 regulation pickleball court;
• 2 badminton courts;
• Half court youth basketball;
• Half court floor hockey;
• Tots sports and play programs;
• Fitness and dance programs; 
• Dryland training for sports teams; or
• Community events such as a craft fair