The rich history of Kitsilano Secondary school will be preserved through a $57.8-million restoration project that includes an addition and seismic upgrade for a school that has served Vancouver families for 100 years, Premier Christy Clark announced.

"Kitsilano Secondary school is a symbol of our province - it tells the story of where we come from and where we are going," said Premier Clark. "The Kitsilano community played a key role in determining how to best balance the heritage value of the school with a 21st century learning experience for all students now, and in the years ahead."

The 1,500 students in grades 8-12 will be able to explore their passions through personalized learning in arts, drama, athletics and the environment. This Neighbourhood Learning Centre School will include:

• Three gymnasiums.
• 350-seat theatre.
• Green space for student learning.
• Space designed for individualized support and collaborative group work.

"The addition, seismic upgrade and restoration of Kitsilano Secondary school builds on our commitment to ensure students study and learn in a 21st century facility that provides a safer learning environment," said Education Minister George Abbott. "The school is a historical landmark and upgrades will maintain many of the original features to preserve the rich educational legacy."

Construction is expected to be completed in early 2016, creating an estimated 370 new jobs, and will be implemented in three phases to minimize disruption to students and staff. Since 2001, 40 capital and seismic projects worth more than $188 million have been completed in the Vancouver school district.

"We are excited to begin seismic and heritage restoration and redevelopment of Kitsilano Secondary school," said Vancouver board of education chair, Patti Bacchus. "This school has the highest heritage value among Lower Mainland secondary institutions and is a source of pride in our school district. Vancouver parents and the Vancouver school board have advocated for many years for this school to be upgraded. This restored facility will support our district in offering enhanced opportunities for personalized learning to our students in the future."

Kitsilano Secondary school will be upgraded and built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards. These standards apply to a wide range of areas, including; water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environment quality. Schools built to LEED Gold standards produce significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to older schools and can result in operational savings of up to 60 per cent.

In 2008, the Vancouver board of education and the City of Vancouver had Commonwealth Historic Resource Management Limited conduct a study to examine the heritage value of Vancouver's schools. The study concluded the school had among the highest ratings at 25 out of 25.

Since 2001, government has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions across British Columbia. In the same time, the Province has committed more than $3.9 billion to school capital and maintenance projects. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards.

Contacts:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963