In 1993, the original school board closed the Oakdene School, which by this time served only as an elementary, in an effort to reduce expenses through the consolidation of rural schools. The school now serves as a community centre, owned and operated by the Bear River Community Craft and Recreation Society, a non-profit organization run by local volunteers. The board rents out classrooms in this beautiful building to small businesses, artists, craftspeople, as well as community, education, music and recreation groups. The Oakdene also houses the Bear River Heritage Museum.
