Upgrades and structural improvements are on the way for L’École Côte-du-Soleil to further safeguard students and staff in the event of an earthquake. The Ministry of Education and Conseil Scolaire Francophone (SD 93) have signed a project agreement to bring the elementary school up to the latest seismic safety standards.

The project will be funded with $2.8 million from the Province’s Seismic Mitigation Program. The agreement allows the school district to proceed with seismic upgrades of the gymnasium and classrooms. Construction is slated to take about 14 months. As with many other successful seismic upgrade projects in B.C., students will remain in school during the upgrades.

The building improvements will include the installation of new plywood sheathing that will be added to the existing walls and roof in the gym to increase capacity. Where necessary, older windows will be filled in and walls will be strengthened. In the classroom block, existing walls will be fortified with four new blocked plywood shear walls and foundations. In addition, the roof will be reinforced.    

When work is completed, L’École Côte-du-Soleil will have a nominal capacity of 195 students. The school reported a September 2015 enrolment of 106 students.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“The safety of students in B.C. is paramount.  We are pleased to be moving forward with the seismic upgrades to L’École Côte-du-Soleil and many other schools across B.C.”

Roger Hébert, président- Conseil Scolaire Francophone -

“It is of the utmost importance to the Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique for both its employees and its students to feel safe. Through its acceptance of this funding agreement, we can see that it is also important to the Ministry of Education to invest in making schools safe for the whole community.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, government has spent or committed $2 billion on school seismic projects.
• Today, there are 146 projects completed, 15 under construction, nine proceeding to construction and 44 projects in various stages of planning.
• Since 2001, government has invested more than $112.6 million on capital and seismic projects for the Conseil Scolaire Francophone.

Learn More:

BC’s Education Plan: WWW.BCEDPLAN.CA

Media Contacts:

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