The town of Jasper is refusing to support or oppose a proposed land swap for a new high school location until the school board offers more details on their proposal.

Negotiations for a land swap to build a new high school between the town and the Grande Yellowhead School Board Division appear to be deadlocked following a letter exchange between both sides.

Discussions are no further ahead than a year ago, with both sides reiterating their demands. The school board is once again calling for an agreement in principle for a land swap which would trade the current high school site for the bowling green lands, while the town wants more details before entering any sort of agreement.

The town set out several requirements that must be clarified by the school board before they consider the proposal.

“(Council) will not make a determination either for or against the proposed land exchange on the basis of principle alone,” wrote Mayor Richard Ireland in a letter to the Grande Yellowhead Public School Division chairman John Stitzenberger. “Instead council will place this matter on its agenda - and on the public’s agenda - for a decision only when it and the community it represents have a full and clear understanding of the specifics of the proposal.”

The school board has not responded publicly to the letter.

The municipality is still unclear how it could determine public approval for the new school site, however it could place the matter to a vote during the October election.

The municipality requires specific details about the nature of the proposed land swap. Six key points were identified by council, including the dimensions of the land swap, status of land, removal of the old school, rezoning and public consultation.

According to the municipality, the land involved in the potential swap is still unclear, as they are unsure if the school board wants the entire bowling green land, or simply a parcel. Boundaries of the exchange have yet to be determined, the mayor wrote. It’s a point the town must know before agreeing to move forward.

The town also wants clarification about the soccer field use (will it remain a soccer field or can the municipality change it), and what the school board plans to do with the existing school once it has been torn down. Removing the existing school, cleaning up the site and paying landfill fees represents a significant potential cost, as much of the school would be shipped to Hinton, and it’s unclear who would pay for that process. Portions of the school could be recycled to build the new school.

Subdividing the lot could also be pricey, as the value of the land is still to be determined, and there are no guarantees from Parks Canada at this time the process could be completed within a year. Costs are associated with planning, and the town wants clarification as to who will pay for the process.

The transfer of the leasehold from the municipality to the school board is not impossible, according to Parks Canada, however a new lease would be required. The land swap would also require a zoning change, switching to an institutional designation. It’s a job the municipality would like to turn over to the school board, as they are asking the board to take on those costs. The lease on the R11 lands is transferrable, however a new lease will need to be signed by the school board if the transfer goes through.

David Kreizenbeck, acting realty municipal service manager, said the land swap is possible, but the length of the process depends on the information received from the proponent.

Finding an appraiser who is comfortable assessing the value of institutional land in a national park can take time. After the land is appraised, it must be sent to the federal department of public works, then come back to Jasper National Park.

In terms of determining a timeline, Kreizenbeck said it’s difficult until a detailed proposal is received by Parks Canada.

Ireland also requested that a detailed public consultation process take place. While zoning changes include a public consultation process, the town wants more.

“Council will almost certainly wish to provide community residents meaningful opportunities to fully understand and discuss the specifics and implications of any proposed land exchange or rezoning,” Ireland wrote.

The mayor also said the school board’s continuing reference to shipping students to Hinton is not helping the process.

A recent poll on the land swap published in the Fitzhugh showed a near dead split between those for and against the land swap. Mayor Ireland said that shows the divisive nature of the debate, and the need for council to get all information about the proposal to the public.

The letter concludes with the municipality’s desire for a third option entitled Option C. At a public meeting last spring, Option C proposes building a school adjacent to the elementary school and Elm Avenue. Theoretically, Option C could be built without tearing down the existing high school or disturbing the dog park.

Yet while the municipality has set out its list of specific demands, the school board still indicates the Bowling Green is its preferred location for a new school.

“The ability to build on the R11 property remains the preferred option of the board in order to mitigate the anticipated disruption to student learning. As a preferred option it is critical for the municipality to indicate its position on the exchange,” wrote Stitzenberger in a letter to council. The board indicated there are several issues that need to be resolved, however they would prefer to resolve them after an agreement in principle is reached.

GYPSD only offered a ‘no comment’ when asked their response to the town’s most recent position. They also offered no comment when asked to clarify elements of their proposal.