Government is investing more than $28.5 million for the new Mar Jok Elementary in West Kelowna and the expansion of Okanagan Mission Secondary in Kelowna.

The new Mar Jok Elementary will help address district enrolment growth by creating space for 460 students in kindergarten to Grade 6. The new school is part of a joint development with the City of West Kelowna and will include a community park, playfield and other Neighbourhood Learning Centre elements.

Okanagan Mission Secondary is also located in an area with a growing school-aged population. The addition will provide 300 new student spaces and a Neighbourhood Learning Centre with upgraded drama room and related facilities for community use.

The Central Okanagan school district will consult with community partners in the coming months to determine the specific educational and community services that will be offered at both schools as part of their new Neighbourhood Learning Centres.

Construction will begin in the spring of 2013 and both projects are expected to be complete by fall 2014. The projects are part of the $353-million capital plan announced by Premier Christy Clark in October 2011.

Quotes:

Education Minister Don McRae -

"Last fall the Premier announced funding to expand current schools or build new ones in areas with considerable enrolment growth. We are making steady progress with these high-priority projects to ensure we have the right infrastructure in place to support student learning, today and in the future."

Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson -

"The Central Okanagan is the fifth-largest school district in the province and these projects are an essential support to the students and parents in this rapidly expanding area."

Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick -

"As the region continues to grow, it's important to ensure there are enough resources for increasing numbers of students. These two projects will provide 760 new spaces in the Kelowna area."

Central Okanagan board of education chair Rolli Cacchioni -

"We are happy to be moving forward on these projects that will support our growing district. The addition will open up much-needed space at Okanagan Mission Secondary while the new elementary school will ease enrolment pressures at the nearby Hudson Road, Shannon Lake and Rose Valley elementary schools."

Quick Facts:

• September student enrolment for the Central Okanagan school district (SD 23) has grown in each of the last five years, and district projections show that trend will continue in 2012.
• Since 2001, government has invested $84.3 million to complete 13 construction projects in SD 23, including the replacement of Rutland Elementary, additions to Rutland Senior Secondary and Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary, and the new Chute Lake Elementary.
• Government has also invested more than $9.5 million for additional full-day kindergarten space in the district.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has spent more than $2.1 billion to complete 93 new and replacement schools, 150 additions, 27 renovations and 22 site acquisitions throughout British Columbia.
• In the same time, government has committed more than $4 billion to school capital and maintenance projects. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards.

Learn More:

View BC's Education Plan and find out how you can get involved at: www.bcedplan.ca

Contact:

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