Optimism is still building that Cranbrook’s aging Mount Baker Secondary School will be replaced by a new Neighbourhood of Learning Centre, but it might take a while longer than some people think.

Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid toured the school last week and this can’t help but be an important step towards Baker’s replacement, says Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett.

“Yes, of course, we are closer,” Bennett says. “The Minister was not only impressed with the principal and students who toured us around, she also noted parts of Baker are very old. She is now very much aware of the project and that’s positive for us.”

Bennett says he also had dinner with MacDiarmid and several School Board 5 trustees and this was “very positive.”

“I still want to ensure this is a community-driven project, but I also want to recognize that the ultimate responsibility for the project is the Board. The trustees that I met with were gracious and enthusiastic about the project, so yes, for sure, we are closer.”

Baker Principal Debra Empson was also enthusiastic about the Minister’s visit. “I felt it was a very positive visit, and if nothing else she now really understands the challenges of our school. Out students that spoke to her and spent time with her were amazing so she was able to hear the student voice and I think that was really important.”

However, MacDiarmid made it clear that getting all-day kindergarten launched was still the government’s number one priority and this could affect the timing of the Baker replacement capital project which is estimated to cost in the neighbourhood of $50 million, Empson said.

“All-day kindergarten is a priority and we understand that but I’m really hopeful that in the next few years if we really dig in and do our work and are prepared with our neighbourhood of learning centre, I’m really optimistic.”

Empson said she doesn’t know where Baker sits on Victoria’s capital priority list even though it’s the number one capital priority in District 5. “I know there are other schools with issues as well, but I’m not sure what those issues are so I’m not sure where we connect in that line.”

Meanwhile Bennett says it’s full speed ahead as far as he’s concerned.

“The school project has already moved up significantly with the efforts of Michelle Richmond and myself last year to have the school audited again by the Ministry. It’s now quite high on the list and when there is capital money, I think we stand a good chance.

“It will take lots of work by lots of people including me. This is the number one project in my riding for me personally.”