The City of Courtenay and School District 71 have partnered over the years in delivering improvements to transportation and school safety. In 2025, the City and the School district have taken a significant step forward towards safer travel for students with its refreshed Safe and Active Schools (SAS) Program. The program takes place over the next two years and will have many components including an open house, travel plans for schools and school and community walkabouts.
The Safe and Active Schools Program aims to improve the safety of students in Courtenay as well as increase the numbers of students and families using active, sustainable travel modes of transportation to travel to and from school - including walking, cycling and rolling. The program supports several City-wide goals set out in the City of Courtenay’s Official Community Plan and the Transportation Master Plan.
“The Safe and Active Schools Program reflects our city’s commitment to creating safer, healthier, and more connected communities,” said Mayor Bob Wells. “By supporting active travel for students, we’re investing in their well-being, our environment, and the future of Courtenay.”
The first three elementary schools selected to be part of the program for the 2025-26 school year are Ecole Puntledge Park Elementary School, Courtenay Elementary School, and Valley View Elementary School. In the following years, the City will engage with up to three elementary schools per year to identify and address barriers to active school travel.
Schools will participate in the development of tailored, school specific travel plans. This process involves working to identify existing barriers to safe and active school travel at each school. Following this, a series of recommended actions will be proposed to address these concerns.
The City is hosting an open house on October 3, 2025 in the École Puntledge Park Elementary School gymnasium from 5-7 p.m. Session attendees will be introduced to the program objectives, planned events (including data collection and school community survey), program timelines, and intended outcomes. Attendees will also be provided the opportunity to identify existing barriers to safe and active school travel at the three participating schools, as well as propose potential solutions for consideration by the SAS program team.
Following the open house, the Safe and Active School Program team will be hosting school and community walkabouts at the three participating schools towards the end of the month.
To learn more about the Safe and Active School Program and to confirm attendance at the open house, please visit the program website at: https://www.courtenay.ca/safe-and-active-school