Local students celebrated the start of 2012 with Education Minister George Abbott at a ceremony to officially open the new M.V. Beattie Elementary school.

Video of the ceremony (youtu.be)

This new environmentally friendly school continues to offer a StrongStart BC program along with a new Neighbourhood Learning Centre. The centre will bring together community, youth and sports organizations, which may include a food bank, adult fitness and RCMP programs.

The new $12.4-million school will have space for 275 students as well as 40 spaces for full-day kindergarten. The current enrolment at M.V. Beattie is 227 students from kindergarten to Grade 7, leaving plenty of space for growth for students in this tight-knit community.

The new school replaces the former M.V. Beattie school, which served Enderby and the surrounding area for nearly 100 years.

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $9.2 million in the North Okanagan-Shuswap school district.
• In addition, the Province is investing more than $1.4 million for additional space for full-day kindergarten.
• The new school has been built to LEED Gold environmental standards.
• Over the past 10 years, government has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 school additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions throughout British Columbia.

Learn More:

To learn about BC's Education Plan, visit: www.bcedplan.ca

For information about M.V. Beattie, visit: http://www.mvb.sd83.bc.ca/index.html

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement

Ministry of Education

250 356-5963