Qualicum Commons... is it back on again?

Since the April 7 2026 news release announcing the Town's decision to not renew the lease with the school board, multiple further news releases have been issued:

• April17 2026 We would like to thank the community for speaking out and helping us better understand the importance of the Qualicum Commons. We've heard powerful stories of how the services provided through the Commons have supported families and improved the quality of life for many residents. The Town is actively exploring possible solutions to keep the Commons open and will provide further information as it becomes available, recognizing this matter is time sensitive.

• May12 2026 We would like to inform residents that the Town is in dialogue with the Qualicum School District and the Oceanside Commons Society on a proposed agreement that would maintain community access to the Qualicum Commons. The proposal is still under discussion and is contingent on several outstanding factors, however, we are encouraged by our conversations and feel positive that a practical solution can be reached. We appreciate the community’s patience as these discussions continue and will share confirmed details as they become available.

• May 15 2026 Building on dialogue with the Oceanside Commons Society (the “Society”) through April and May, the Town is pleased to announce that it has submitted a written proposal to the Society to enter into a sublease for the Society to take over operation, management and financial responsibilities of the Qualicum Commons (“Commons”) property located at 744 Primrose Street. Today, the Town received an indication from a Director of the Society that the Board is interested, in principle, in continuing discussions towards a workable arrangement. The Town has confirmed its interest in entering into a sublease with the Society as outlined in the Town’s correspondence to the Society dated May 14, 2026 .The Town continues to proceed in good faith to advance a draft sublease, including exploring the Town’s ability to accept donations on behalf of the Society, and more. Negotiating the terms of this proposed sublease will require the cooperation of the Society and will determine the overall timeline. The Town is prepared to provide a draft sublease to the Society promptly next week and to sign a lease with Qualicum School District as soon as the Society agrees to the required conditions in the proposed sublease. As the Town does not own the building and is dependent on the Society to take on the operation, management and financial responsibilities of the Commons, the Society must first enter into a sublease with the Town before the Town can renew its existing one-year lease with the Qualicum School District, which expires on June 30, 2026.

The letter to the society referenced in the May 15 news release outlines the preliminary conditions required from the society and puts the ball back in the Society's court. A link to the full letter is below.

It would appear the town is now prepared to front the Society up to $80,000 of taxpayer money to pay qualified trades people for capital projects including repair to 3 inoperable HVAC units , tile flooring repairs and other miscellaneous repairs. Further the town is agreeing to provide for the mowing of the grass fields at no expense to the society, and to act as collector of donations and issuer of tax receipts subject to legal review.

The Society is expected to sign a sub lease, assume responsibility for all other management/ operational costs, capital costs and repairs. In the three page letter there is no requirement for the society to demonstrate the financial ability to actually be in a position to full fill these obligations should they choose to sign a sublease.

The repair and maintenance expenses are not trivial and are critical to the safe operation of the building. As stated in the Town's April 7th news release:

"During the past year, the Town has faced many challenges with the deteriorating condition of the building, including significant floods in three areas. Major systems, like HVAC exchange units have been identified as failing, or at end-of-life, and replacements are required for the roof, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical, and fire suppression systems. To address only the immediate, short-term needs, including roof replacement and other major repairs, the Town has received cost estimates in the range of $1.5 - $2 million. The revenue from the Commons’ tenants would not come close to covering these required capital cost replacements. "

In my opinion, the society should be required to demonstrate the financial and management capability to cover these costs before the town executes a sublease. If the society cannot demonstrate this capability, the town as the head lease holder, is very likely still going to be footing the bill for the significant up coming capital expenses over the life of this proposed sub lease...nothing has changed. Perhaps the town should negotiate personal guarantees from the directors to ensure their commitment to fundraising through the life of the sublease.

As a taxpayer, I object to the town using my general property taxes to fund repairs to a building that is owned by the School Board. In my opinion we already pay school taxes and it is the school boards responsibility to maintain or dispose of their buildings. QB general property taxes should be spent maintaining our own buildings and ensuring critical infrastructure is renewed at pace inline with the independent engineering reports the town already has in hand. The Town has a lot of deferred maintenance and it would be fiscally prudent to direct all available funding to that problem rather than subsidizing the School Boards capital budget.

Marie Noel

May 17 2026

We welcome your comments and feedback.

You can email us at QualicumBeachInsights@gmail.com

More info

Letter from council to the society outlining proposal

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