The Peace River North board of education received a package from Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm today which bore good tidings for Clearview Elementary/Jr. Secondary school. Students and staff gathered today as MLA Pimm, on behalf of Education Minister Don McRae, presented the project agreement for the gym expansion to board chair Jaret Thompson to sign at the school.

Clearview Elementary/Jr. Secondary was built in 1969 as an elementary school for young students. Over time, it was reconfigured to accommodate students from kindergarten to Grade 10, which is why the gym needs to be enlarged so it can better serve older students as well.

The estimated cost to expand the school gym is $3.6 million, which includes $600,000 each from the Ministry of Education and the school district, $1.2 million from B.C. government's FairShare economic development program and $1.2 million from the Peace River Regional District. In January, 96 per cent of voters in the regional district passed a referendum to provide municipal funding for this project.

With the signed agreement in hand, the school district will proceed with further planning on this project. Not only will the larger gym benefit students, it will also be used by local residents. Construction is expected to start in June and be completed in fall, 2013.

Quotes:

Don McRae, Minister of Education -

"An active, healthy lifestyle is crucial to students' success in schools. It is great news that we're proceeding with the expansion of the Clearview Elementary/Jr. Secondary gymnasium so it can meet the needs of older students too."

"This partnership between the ministry, school district, provincial and municipal governments has made the project possible, and it will provide long-term benefits for students and the local community."

Pat Pimm, Peace River North MLA -

"I am delighted that the Ministry of Education and the Peace River North school district are moving forward with improvements to the Clearview school gym."

"As a father and a long-time community member in the Peace River Region, I know this facility will be an excellent asset to our kids and residents when it is completed."

Jaret Thompson, Peace River North board of education chair -

"Today is an exciting day for our trustees, school district, students and staff at Clearview Elementary/Jr. Secondary. We have been working with the Ministry of Education on the gym expansion; with the project agreement now in place, we can move forward with project planning."

"Thank you to our partners, the Ministry of Education, the B.C. government and the Peace River Regional District, for their support for this important project that will be utilized by our students for years to come."

Quick Facts:

• Clearview Elementary/Jr. Secondary is a kindergarten-to-Grade 10 school with a student population of 149 students. The school is located in Flatrock, 50 kilometres northeast of Fort St. John.

• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested $13.5 million in capital projects in the Peace River North school district for additions to North Peace Secondary, Duncan Cran Elementary, and Prespatou Elementary-Secondary schools. The government also invested more than $6.4 million for additional space for full-day kindergarten.

• Initiated in 2005, the provincial/Peace River MOU (also known as FairShare) provides at least $20 million annually to the Peace River Regional District, indexed to changes in the rural industrial assessment base.

• These FairShare funds are divided among local governments within the regional district through a formula determined by the region.

• Since 2001, government has spent more than $2.4 billion to complete capital projects including 96 new and replacement schools, 151 additions, 27 renovations and 25 site acquisitions throughout B.C. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards.

Learn More:

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

Contact:

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