Another Victoria area school is slated for a seismic upgrade to protect students and staff in the event of an earthquake.

The Ministry of Education and the Greater Victoria School District have signed a project agreement to bring Cloverdale Traditional Elementary school up to the latest seismic safety standards.

As with many other successful seismic upgrade projects in Victoria, Cloverdale students will be bussed to the vacant Richmond Elementary School for the 2015-16 school year to allow for the work to be done at their “home” school.

Richmond Elementary is a “swing school” that has previously housed students while seismic work was carried out at Quadra Elementary. This year, students from George Jay Elementary are attending Richmond Elementary while seismic work is underway at that school.

Cloverdale has capacity for 345 Kindergarten to grade 5 students. Construction contracts will be tendered this summer with substantial completion by next summer. The project will be funded with $2.9 million from the Province’s Seismic Mitigation Program.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“Safety is a priority and we are continuing the important work of upgrading B.C. schools to the highest standards so that young learners can study and grow in safe and comfortable surroundings.”

Edith Loring-Kuhanga, board chair, Greater Victoria school district -

“On behalf of the students, parents and staff of Cloverdale Traditional Elementary school, we are extremely pleased that the Ministry of Education is following through with the seismic upgrade of another one of our schools in the Greater Victoria School District.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, government has spent or committed $2.2 billion on school seismic projects.
• As of May 2015, 146 schools have been upgraded and replaced, 15 schools are currently under construction and 9 schools are moving toward construction. 
• Since 2001, 25 capital and seismic projects worth more than $117.6 million have been completed in the Greater Victoria School District, including the seismic upgrade of Margaret Jenkins Elementary, Fairey Tech (at Victoria High school), and Landsdowne Middle school.
• Government has committed a further $50.3 million towards the replacement of Oak Bay Secondary. In addition, government invested $540,000 for additional space for Full Day Kindergarten.

Learn More:

BC’s Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca

Media Contacts:

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