Queen Mary Community Elementary buzzed with excitement today as provincial, municipal and community representatives, along with students and staff, gathered for an important milestone - the completion of an $18.7-million seismic upgrade and heritage restoration at the school.

After a blessing by the Squamish First Nation elders, Education Minister Peter Fassbender, local MLAs and the North Vancouver board of education unveiled a new cornerstone commemorating the completed upgrade and restoration.

Queen Mary Elementary was originally constructed in 1914, with additions built in 1957 and 1995. To ensure student and staff safety in the event of an earthquake, the Ministry of Education approved the seismic upgrade of Queen Mary Elementary in 2005 under the provincial Seismic Mitigation Program. The project also included a heritage restoration to maintain the architectural significance of this designated heritage site.

The external façade was restored while the interior core of the existing building was demolished and replaced. The upgrade also included new mechanical and electrical systems throughout the building, a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) and an expansion to the school gymnasium. The cost of this project is approximately $18.7 million, including $15.45 million from the B.C. government and $3.25 million from North Vancouver board of education for the heritage restoration. The updated building can accommodate up to 470 students from kindergarten to Grade 7.

Not only does Queen Mary Community Elementary serve students, it also offers various services to the community through the Queen Mary Community Services Association, which is now part of the NLC. The association provides day care, before- and after-school care services to families at the school. It also delivers youth and community programs such as sports education activities, sponsor field trips, school bus transportation and summer day camp.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“Student and staff safety is always our first priority. Every upgrade that we complete benefits hundreds of students and brings us one step closer to our goal of ensuring safety for all students.”

“I had the opportunity to tour Queen Mary Community Elementary today and it is a great example of what the government, school districts and municipalities can achieve together — a modern facility that serves our students and provides excellent programs to residents.”

Naomi Yamamoto, MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale -

“Queen Mary Community Elementary has been a key landmark in our community for nearly a hundred years. To many of us, this school is more than a place where children learn, it is a place that brings families together.”

“The seismic upgrade and heritage restoration have rejuvenated this important school in North Vancouver. I am excited about the re-opening of Queen Mary Community Elementary and the wide range of services our residents will be able to access at the school’s Neighbourhood Learning Centre.”

Franci Stratton, board of education chair -

“Recreating a school where history, sustainability and accessibility meet requires collaboration and support at the provincial and municipal level, community involvement and exceptional design and building expertise.”

“We are pleased to celebrate the supporters of this project and are proud that Queen Mary will continue to stand both as an exceptional community school and a majestic landmark long into the future.”

Quick Facts:

• Students attended Cloverley Elementary during the construction and moved back to Queen Mary Community Elementary this January.
• The Queen Mary Community Services Association has been providing programs to children and youth in the Queen Mary and Lower Lonsdale community for more than 32 years.
• It is a non-profit organization supported by the Queen Mary Community Elementary, the North Vancouver Recreation Centre, City of North Vancouver and North Shore Neighbourhood House.
• Since 2001, 17 capital and seismic projects worth more than $125 million have been completed in the North Vancouver school district.
• Most recently, Canyon Heights Elementary, Ridgeway Elementary and Carson Graham Secondary underwent seismic upgrades in the district.
• 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 104 high-risk schools in the province.
• Since 2001, the government has spent more than $2.5 billion to complete 99 new and replacement schools, 151 additions, 27 renovations and 26 site acquisitions throughout B.C.

Learn More:

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

B.C.’s Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

Media Contacts:

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