Welding, drilling and hammering - all were familiar sounds in many school districts as construction crews completed numerous capital and seismic projects in 2014.

Projects completed and opened throughout the calendar year totalled more than $300 million, and included the $56-million Chilliwack Secondary and the $26-million Yorkson Creek Middle school, which will support a growing community in Langley.

There are 37 projects currently in progress, including seven new schools, eight facility replacements, two additions and 15 seismic upgrades. B.C. has committed approximately $848 million to fund these projects in districts that include Surrey, Coquitlam, Greater Victoria, Sooke, Nanaimo-Ladysmith and New Westminster.

The new NorKam Trades and Technology Centre in Kamloops is expected to be completed by February.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“The past year brought new school openings, seismic upgrades and space additions along with restoration upgrades to schools - all to ensure students have new, safer and modern places to learn.”

“We continue to see great progress on many construction projects underway. We’ve also recently signed new project agreements for seismic upgrades that represent a significant commitment to students, families and B.C. communities.”

Quick Facts:

• Capital, seismic, restoration and upgrade projects completed and opened in 2014 totalled approximately $314 million.
• Since 2001, government has committed more than $4.2 billion on school capital and maintenance projects throughout B.C. To date, 108 new and replacement schools, 152 additions, 29 renovations and 27 site acquisitions have been completed.

Media Contacts:

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

BACKGROUNDER

New schools and upgrades completed, more this year

Capital projects, including upgrades and restoration, completed in 2014:

• SD 5 - Southeast Kootenay
  • A $4-million restoration was completed for Rocky Mountain Elementary school in Elkford after fire had caused extensive damage in June.
• SD 23 - Central Okanagan
  • A $15-million addition was completed at Okanagan Mission Secondary school.
  • A new $14.1-million project for Mar Jok Elementary school added 460 spaces.
• SD 35 - Langley
  • The $26.2-million Yorkson Creek Middle school opened, with a 750-student capacity.
• SD 36 - Surrey
  • The $14.7-million Goldstone Park Elementary opened with a 555-student capacity to support the growing Lower Mainland community.
  • Katzie Elementary opened, with a 605-student capacity, at a cost of $14.3 million.
  • An $8.4-million investment to Panorama Ridge Secondary added 300 spaces and a $7.1 million addition to Fraser Heights Secondary school added 200 spaces.
• SD 39 - Vancouver
  • Norma Rose Point Elementary and Middle officially opened in Vancouver. The $29-million school accommodates up to 860 students in kindergarten to Grade 8.
• SD 40 - New Westminster
• École Qayqayt Elementary opened. The $23.8-million school serves students in kindergarten to Grade 7 and early French Immersion kindergarten to Grade 5.
•  SD 43 - Coquitlam
  • Approximately $28.2 million for Eagle Mountain Middle, which opened with a capacity of 500 students.
• SD 46 - Sunshine Coast
  • The $15.1-million Gibsons Elementary opened on the Sunshine Coast, with a capacity of up to 350 students. 
• SD 57 - Prince George
  • Giscome Elementary school’s $1.5-million full modular replacement was completed.
• SD 58 - Nicola Similkameen
  • Nicola-Canford Elementary received a $4.8-million partial replacement.
• SD 60 - Peace River North
  • $1.8 million was provided to support a $3.6-million expansion to the gymnasium at Clearview Elementary/Jr. Secondary.
• SD 91 - Nechako Lakes
  • Babine Elementary Secondary school received a partial modular replacement at $5.3 million.
• SD 92 - Nisga’a
  • Nathan Barton Elementary received a $2.2-million mechanical and electrical upgrade.

Seismic projects completed in 2014:

• SD 33 - Chilliwack
  • The $56-million Chilliwack Secondary was completed. The new school has a capacity for 1,200 students.
• SD 37 - Delta
• The seismic upgrade to South Delta Secondary was completed at a cost of approximately $10.1 million.
• SD 44 - North Vancouver
• Queen Mary Community Elementary re-opened after the completion of an $18.7-million seismic upgrade and heritage restoration at the school.
• SD 61 - Greater Victoria
  • The $8.1-million seismic upgrade was completed at Quadra Elementary. 
• SD 72 - Campbell River
  • A seismic upgrade to École Phoenix Middle was completed at approximately $5.9 million.

Media Contacts:

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