Lansdowne Preschool being forced to relocate after 50 years in Oaklands

Residents of the Oaklands community, and parents of children who attend Lansdowne Preschool there, recently attempted to raise enough money to prevent a community space from being developed for land for condos. They did not raise enough by the date they had to, and the preschool must now relocate.

“The land has a church, a playground and field, and another building, which has been used as a dance school and fitness centre,” says Cindy Ralph, Lansdowne Preschool spokesperson (Ralph is also a parent and volunteer there).

Ralph says that the developer was willing to be flexible once she realized how much the space meant to the community.

“The developer that bought the land made a deal with us,” says Ralph. “She told us that if we were able to pay her $500,000 by May 18, then she would sell us the land.”

Nicole Roberts, owner of CCA Properties, who are buying the land, says that, despite how it may look, her business is about bringing neighbourhoods together.

“I gave them a chance because my business is about building community,” she says, “not tearing it down.”

The preschool’s staff joined forces with the Oaklands Community Center, located across the road, while reaching out to the community for donations.

“We sent a package to the developer with letters of support from the community, as well as letters from the community promising about $115,000 in donations,” says Ralph.

Roberts says that she was fully willing to go through with the proposed deal, but not enough money was raised, so she will go ahead with taking over the property.

“I would have followed through with the deal,” she says, “however, they realized that they would not be able to follow through.”

Rather than dissolving, the 50-year-old preschool is relocating temporarily to Oak Bay, while searching for a new location that the preschool hopes to purchase in the Oaklands community.

“The enrollment might be affected while we are in Oak Bay, considering the commute for a community preschool,” says Ralph.

The preschool will reach out to the Oaklands community again once they’re settled in their Oak Bay location. They plan on having more fundraisers, looking for donations, and investors to purchase the new property in Oaklands.

Despite this turn of events, Ralph is able to look on the bright side of everything.

“Even though we didn’t come through with the money, it was really nice that the developer gave us the opportunity to purchase back the land,” says Ralph. “The strategies and will we got out of that has helped us continue on as a preschool.”

As for Roberts, she applauds the community’s efforts and wishes them the best.

She took over the land in mid-May; the preschool has to be out by June 30.

“They showed great innovation,” says Roberts, “and I’m glad I provided them with the opportunity and hope they can use that initiative to go forward with reaching their new goals.”