A brand new $58-million state-of-the-art school in Port Alberni is already offering students a broad range of learning opportunities and career options in the Alberni Valley.

Alberni District Secondary school (ADSS) has modern instructional and classroom space, but also features a 500-seat theatre, two gymnasiums, a fitness room, a dance studio, an artificial turf field, a First Nations gathering space and a youth health clinic.

ADSS students can also choose from a wide range of skills and trades training options - from carpentry, to plumbing, to hairdressing, heavy duty mechanics, metal fabrication and the culinary arts.

To enhance student opportunities even further, the new school was built in close proximity to North Island College so students can take advantage of skills and trades training programs offered through the college. There are currently 30 students in skills and trades programs working directly with local employers. In fact, four of the students enrolled in the Secondary School Apprenticeship program and three who had completed the Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training program were hired to help build the new school.

Community members, along with school and government officials, attended the official grand opening of the new school today. The event featured choir, band and dance presentations - the first public performances in the brand new theatre, part of the Neighbourhood Learning Centre. The new school has capacity for 1,300 students and is one of the most advanced in the province.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"This state-of-the-art new school is one of the most impressive in the province, and its proximity to North Island College allows students to take advantage of an almost unlimited range of skills and trades training opportunities."

Larry Ransom, Alberni district board chair -

"The new ADSS represents a tremendous vote of confidence in the future of the Alberni Valley, and we look forward to generations of students benefitting from this truly exceptional learning environment."

Quick Facts:

• In support of government's Wood First policy, wood was used extensively in constructing the new school, including a custom designed wood roof structure for the small gym.

• About 370 jobs were created during construction.

• Through the use of a geothermal heat source and other efficiencies, the new school could see a reduction of close to 75 per cent in operational costs compared to the former school.

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $64 million in capital projects for the Alberni school district, including $75,000 for five classroom conversions for full day kindergarten in the district, and upgrades and renovations to A.W. Neill Middle school.

• Since 2001, our government has spent more than $2.1 billion to complete 93 new and replacement schools, 150 additions, 27 renovations and 22 site acquisitions in B.C.

• The government is currently working to build, replace or upgrade over 70 capital projects throughout B.C. over the next four years. The total cost of these projects is approximately $1.5 billion.

Learn More:

Premier Christy Clark is asking British Columbians to help address five key challenges to building British Columbia's workforce. The information can be found at: www.bcjobsplan.ca

A new website, Discover Trades, has been created to promote trades and get more students into technical programs: http://www.discovertradesbc.ca/

BC's Education Plan: WWW.BCEDPLAN.CA

Alberni District Secondary school: http://www.sd70.bc.ca/school/adss/Pages/default.aspx/

Media Contact:

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