Premier Christy Clark announced more than $584 million to seismically upgrade 45 high-risk schools today, marking a significant milestone in government's commitment to student safety.

"Absolutely nothing is more important than keeping our kids safe. Today we're two-thirds of the way to meeting our commitment to seismically upgrading all high-risk schools in B.C.," said Premier Clark. "This investment means parents sending their kids to 45 more high-risk schools know they will be able to withstand a major earthquake."

The School Seismic Mitigation Program is an ongoing program to address all high-risk school buildings. With these 45 new projects, a total of 213 schools have either been completed, are under construction, are proceeding to construction, or have been supported through the program. That leaves 102 high-priority schools to be addressed.

"It's a significant challenge to upgrade each and every high-risk school throughout British Columbia, but the progress we've made so far is fantastic," said Education Minister Don McRae. "Leading experts in this area continue to seek information on our work, our research on seismic safety, and we take great pride in knowing our innovations are being used to keep kids safe both here and across North America."

First launched in 2004, the School Seismic Mitigation Program is backed by leading B.C. engineers and geoscientists who designed new guidelines for seismic safety in schools based on the latest research from major earthquakes around the globe. In 2010, these experts used these guidelines and new assessment tools to conduct a comprehensive reassessment leading to a more accurate picture of seismic safety risks in B.C. schools.

Quick Facts:

• The 45 projects announced today will create an estimated 3,700 direct construction jobs across the province over the life of the projects.

• Including today's announcement, since 2001 government has spent or committed $2.2 billion to seismically upgrade or replace 213 high-risk schools. It is anticipated it will cost a further $600 million to address the remaining 102 high-risk schools in the province.

• There are 37 school districts located in high seismic zones throughout the province.

• The $584 million will be distributed over a three-year spending envelope; individual projects within this envelope will receive final approval to proceed to design and construction after the school district confirms the scope, schedule, budget and risks for the project.

• The estimated funding over the three years is:

• 2013-14 - 10 new seismic projects at $111.8 million

• 2014-15 - 14 new seismic projects at $177 million

• 2015-16 - 21 new seismic projects at $295.4 million

• The seismic retrofit guidelines developed by B.C.-based experts have been reviewed by international experts in California and at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), earning the Canadian Society of Engineers Excellence in Innovation in Civil Engineering Award in 2010. The guidelines have helped shape FEMA's own regional guidelines and policies.

• Including the School Seismic Mitigation Program, since 2001 government has committed more than $4 billion to school capital and maintenance projects throughout B.C.

• During this time, the government has spent more than $2.4 billion to complete 96 new and replacement schools, 131 seismic projects, 151 additions, 27 renovations and 25 site acquisitions across B.C.

• All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards.

Learn More:

The Ministry of Education's School Seismic Mitigation Program: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/capitalplanning/seismic/

Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC: http://www.apeg.bc.ca/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Ben Chin
Office of the Premier
250 588-3113

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

(flickr.com)

BACKGROUNDER

List of 45 schools receiving upgrades

2013-14

James Gilmore Elementary SD 38 - Richmond

Killarney Secondary SD 39 - Vancouver

David Thompson Secondary SD 39 - Vancouver

Montecito Elementary SD 41 - Burnaby

Windsor Secondary SD 44 - North Vancouver

Henderson Elementary SD 47 - Powell River

George Jay Elementary SD 61 - Greater Victoria

Cordova Bay Elementary SD 63 - Saanich

South Wellington Elementary SD 68 - Nanaimo-Ladysmith

École Phoenix Middle SD 72 - Campbell River

2014-15

Yale Secondary SD 34 - Abbotsford

Langley Secondary SD 35 - Langley

Delta Secondary SD 37 - Delta

Maple Grove Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Lord Tennyson Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Dr. Annie B. Jamieson Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Richard McBride Elementary SD 40 - New Westminster

Burnaby North Secondary SD 41 - Burnaby

Minnekhada Middle SD 43 - Coquitlam

Tillicum Elementary SD 61 - Greater Victoria

Shoreline Community Middle SD 61 - Greater Victoria

Dunsmuir Middle SD 62 - Sooke

Parkland Secondary SD 63 - Saanich

École Cote Du Soleil (Powell River) SD 93 - Conseil Scolaire Francophone

2015-16

Abbotsford Traditional Secondary SD 34 - Abbotsford

Eric Hamber Secondary SD 39 - Vancouver

Point Grey Secondary SD 39 - Vancouver

Renfrew Community Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Sir Alexander MacKenzie Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Waverley Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Edith Cavell Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Prince of Wales Secondary SD 39 - Vancouver

Templeton Secondary SD 39 - Vancouver

General Wolfe Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

David Lloyd George Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

Bayview Community Elementary SD 39 - Vancouver

F.W. Howay Elementary SD 40 - New Westminster

Stride Avenue Elementary SD 41 - Burnaby

Montgomery Middle SD 43 - Coquitlam

Irvine Elementary SD 43 - Coquitlam

Handsworth Secondary SD 44 - North Vancouver

Cloverdale Elementary SD 61 - Greater Victoria

Cedar Hill Junior Secondary SD 61 - Greater Victoria

Ruth King Elementary SD 62 - Sooke

Lochside Elementary SD 63 - Saanich

Media Contacts:

Ben Chin
Office of the Premier
250 588-3113

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