A $1.8-million project agreement has been signed to support a seismic upgrade for Aberdeen Elementary school.

This project is part of the Province's continuing commitment to student safety through the Seismic Mitigation Program. Aberdeen Elementary has a capacity of 295 students. Current enrolment is 170 kindergarten - Grade 7 students from both rural and suburban areas, with that number expected to increase to 194 by 2016-17.

Two of the six blocks that make up the school will be upgraded with renovation requiring temporary relocation of students to portable classrooms or to other classrooms within the school. Seismic upgrading work is expected to begin this summer with the affected blocks ready for occupancy in January 2014.

Aberdeen Elementary is the western-most situated school in the Abbotsford district and traditionally served the agricultural community in southwest Abbotsford. The school started in 1890 as a one-room split cedar shack and moved to its present location in 1900, with the current school opening in 1956.

Quotes:

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"Since its days as a one-room schoolhouse with twenty students, Aberdeen Elementary has been a vital part of this community, and this upgrade will allow it to serve Abbotsford families for decades to come."

Cindy Schafer, Abbotsford school district board chair -

"We appreciate the efforts of government to enhance our student's safety and to ensure that Aberdeen Elementary, an integral part of the west Abbotsford community and one of our oldest and most cherished schools, has a bright future."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $103.6 million in the Abbotsford school district, including an addition to Abbotsford Traditional School and the replacement of Abbotsford Middle school.

• As well, the Province invested more than $1.2 million in the district for additional space for full-day kindergarten.

• Since 2001, government has spent more than $840 million on seismic upgrading of schools in 37 districts in B.C.

Learn More:

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca

Aberdeen Elementary: http://aberdeen.sd34.bc.ca/

Media Contact:

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