The new Babine Elementary-Secondary school officially opened today, providing students, teachers and the community with a modern, attractive and safe-learning environment for years to come.

The $5.28-million project is part of the government's $17-million Modular School Pilot Program to renew aging infrastructures in rural B.C. The project started in September 2013 and included demolishing about 60% of the school and replacing education space with five modern modular classrooms, which feature a bright, open design with high ceilings. In addition, Nechako Lakes board of education contributed $2 million to update the mechanical space with three new boilers. The project also included renovating the library, the multipurpose area and kitchen and connecting the modulars to the school.

The Ministry of Education and Nechako Lakes School District (SD 91) determined that using newly-designed modular classrooms was the best solution to revitalize the local school. The province is also using modular classrooms in Nicola-Similkameen and Prince George school districts to provide new, modern learning environments for students in small communities, as part of the Modular School Pilot Program.

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“Government is committed to upgrading and replacing aging schools in rural B.C. to ensure students have safe and modern places to learn and succeed. This new school will provide the perfect learning environment to support students, teachers and B.C.’s new school curriculum.”

John Rustad, MLA for Nechako Lakes –

"The completion of Babine Elementary-Secondary improvement project is great news for kids, Granisle and Tachet reserve families and the community. These new classrooms and improvements will provide students a positive and safe learning environment and help strengthen our community.”

Charlene Seguin, school district 91 superintendent –

“Babine Elementary-Secondary school has played a major role in the lives of residents from Granisle and Tachet for many years. It is our hope that this beautiful facility will serve as both a learning hub and a gathering place for many years to come. We are grateful for the actions of the government in turning our dream of a beautiful and efficient new school into a reality.”

Quick Facts:

• To date, there are 33 students enrolled in Kindergarten to Grade 12 at Babine Elementary-Secondary.
• The revitalized Babine Elementary-Secondary school has a capacity of 20 Kindergarten, 50 elementary and 25 secondary students.
• The original Babine Elementary-Secondary School opened in September 1967, with a capacity of 40 Kindergarten, 250 elementary and 325 secondary students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.
• Modular classrooms have a 40-year life span and are a more permanent solution to creating school space, compared to portables.
• To date, three aging schools have been updated or replaced through the Modular School Pilot Program, which was announced in 2012.
• The contract for the replacement project was awarded in September 2013 and work began in September 2013.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $21.2 million in capital projects in the Nechako Lakes School District for the new Decker Lake Elementary and the replacement of Lakes District Secondary school.
• During the same period, more than $4.2 billion has been committed to school capital and maintenance projects throughout British Columbia.

Learn More:

New curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/

BC’s Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca

School District 91: http://www.sd91.bc.ca/