Editorial: School's out

Today (Wednesday) a public meeting was scheduled at Halton Region to discuss the proposal for a private elementary school/equestrian centre on Eighth Line. To be sure this facility has sparked plenty of local discussion since this newspaper first reported on the proposal Feb. 1. A public information meeting Feb. 9 only fanned interest as several dozen people jammed the Civic Centre to voice their concerns about the facility, headed by Jesus Cordoba. On paper, there is no question the multi-million dollar Keswick Sutherland School, which is proposed for a 95.5 acre parcel of land near Scotsdale Farm, is impressive. Founded by Cordoba and Callie Scheichl, the facility has been in the works for eight years and the pair indicated they would like to see it open by September-- an optimistic, if not somewhat unrealistic, target. However, area residents have said `not so fast', raising several legitimate concerns. Chief among them is the increase in traffic such a facility would bring on a road that residents for years have said is already unsafe. Who, they also rightfully ask, will pay for the necessary road improvements? We sure hope it's not local taxpayers who have been told by politicians for years road cash is scarce and they have to wait their turn when it comes time to fix bad roads. Along with traffic and road issues, there are also concerns about the impact on local water tables and the effect on the local environment. Planners often say new developments will try to blend in to the existing environment but that's as believable as the oil companies blaming a broken pipeline in Kuwait for a 10-cent-a-litre hike at the pumps. While we're sure there is some NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) element at work here among residents opposed to the plan (including some who oppose private schools in principle), residents have raised enough legitimate concerns for regional councillors to put the brakes on this plan.