The City of Yorkton is moving to clarify the ownership and usage of the former Angus Spice School, (currently housing SIGN offices) property, following a decision of Council at its regular meeting Monday.
"The School Division constructed a school commonly referred to as the 'Angus Spice School' on this property (1961). When the school was being used it was tax exempt as per The Cities Act. Yorkton Public School Division #93 (now known as Good Spirit Division #120) leased the lands at 83 North Street from the City of Yorkton. The current agreement was signed on October 16, 1991 to lease lands for a twenty year period of time for a sum of $1.00. This agreement expires October 2011," detailed background information circulated to Council.
"Currently the City owns the land and the school division owns the building. We have no records to indicate why the parcel was not transferred to the school division."
The current situation was also explained in the information.
"In 2006 the school division sub-leased this property to SIGN and as the use did not fall into any categories that would allow it to be exempt as per The Cities Act, the building became taxable. This property did pay municipal taxes, and the school division provided 100 per cent tax abatement on their share of the taxes."
Lonnie Kaal, Director of Finance with the City said City Administration believes it is time to address the ownership, since it could free up land for development.
The recommendation that Council approved was that the lands upon which the building known as 83 North Street owned by Good Spirit School Division and leased to SIGN be amalgamated so as to create a parcel for the building and separate parcels that could be used for other purposes. Once the lands are restructured, that Administration brings forward recommendations to Council for future use of these parcels and a proposed long term lease with SIGN; provided that Good Spirit School Division is in agreement.
