The Kootenay Columbia College of Integrative Sciences (KCCIS) is addressing its neighbours’ concerns about parking near its Classical Oriental Sciences campus in Rosemont.
KCCIS recently relocated one of its campuses to the former monastery hospice building located at 402 Richards Street West. However, this has resulted in an increase in traffic and vehicles parking near the campus, causing congestion, particularly on Beasley Street West.
Admissions advisor Chris Holland says KCCIS received a call from a nearby resident who was concerned about the congestion, which he says they addressed head-on.
“I agreed that there was a bit of a situation there [on Beasley Street]. You’re legally allowed to park like that, but it was causing congestion. So the first thing we did was inform all the students not to park down West Beasley at all, because it clogs it up and it’s bothering the neighbours.”
“We want to make sure we’re doing everything to ensure that the neighbours around us are happy.”
KCCIS has three campuses in Nelson, and Holland says parking is an issue at all of them.
At its Rosemont campus, it only has five spots for staff parking, and student parking is very limited.
Holland says the college has been working hard to find a parking solution for its students, including engaging in conversations with the city and potentially Selkirk College.
“We’re going to be having an administrative meeting and we’re going to be talking about this issue and how we could maybe even work with Selkirk College. I don’t think they have room in their parking lot, but it would be a dream if we could work together with other educational institutions or other people with parking lots available. So that is something we are trying to work on.”
Another option KCCIS is exploring is entering into an agreement with the two churches also located on West Richards Street. Holland says KCCIS has approached both the Ascension Lutheran Church and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, neither of which has responded yet.
“We need to hear back from them because we’re looking at it as a great opportunity. But we have no idea how they feel about it, so we’re still trying to communicate with them and hear back from them.”
The situation on Beasley Street West is not nearly as congested as it was earlier this week, and Holland thanks the residents of Rosemont for bringing their concerns forward as he reiterated that KCCIS is dedicated to working with the community and resolving any issues.
“As soon as we heard something, we dealt with it right away. We really want to work with our community and our neighbours. If anybody has an issue, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our number is 250-352-5887, and our goal is to integrate ourselves with the community and be a benefit.
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