Students, teachers and the community will benefit from a new $24.8-million elementary school in Fort St. John announced today by Education Minister Mike Bernier and Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm.

The school will be located in the northwest part of the city near the Sunset Ridge residential development. The project includes building a two-storey K-6 elementary school that will create 365 new student spaces: 40 kindergarten and 325 elementary. The almost 4,000-square-metre building will also be home to a Neighbourhood Learning Centre, a StrongStart classroom and an extra-large community-access gym.

(flickr.com)

The school is needed to accommodate the growing number of elementary-aged children, as a result of economic development in the north.

With the funding approval in place, the project is expected to go to tender in spring 2016, with construction beginning in summer 2016 and scheduled for completion in late 2017.

The project will put apprentices to work under B.C.'s Apprentices on Public Projects Policy, as part of B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. This policy ensures government is helping more young people in British Columbia connect with skills training and apprenticeship opportunities. By hiring apprentices, contractors on these projects are training the next generation of skilled workers needed to keep B.C.’s economy diverse, strong and growing.

The visit to Fort St. John is part of the first leg of Bernier’s tour of schools and districts over the coming weeks and months.

Quotes:

Mike Bernier, Minister of Education –

“Government is committed to supporting students, families and teachers in rapidly growing communities such as Fort St. John. This new elementary school will accommodate 365 new students and provide them with the learning space they need to succeed.”

Pat Pimm, MLA for Peace River North –

“School District is 60 is one of the districts in the province that is showing consistent growth year after year and this new school will be a wonderful addition to the community.”

Lori Ackerman, mayor, Fort St. John –

The City’s $2.5 million investment will provide a great addition to our indoor recreational space for our residents and groups.  We are working closely with the school district to put an agreement in place to guarantee access to the expanded gym for community based groups.

Jaret Thompson, board chair, Peace River North School District –

“We are excited about this announcement, and look forward to starting this project as soon as possible. We will continue to work with the ministry to develop additional new and replacement schools as required in our district."

“The board would like to thank the staff who have worked tirelessly towards securing this new school, and those who have worked on our behalf promoting our district, and ensuring the Ministry was kept well informed of the immediate need for new and enhanced facilities. The mayor and city council of Fort St. John, MLA Pat Pimm, former minister Peter Fassbender, current Minister Mike Bernier, local developer Peace Enterprises and past board of education trustees all played important roles in getting to this day.

“We are grateful for their work to enhance our school district.”

Quick Facts:

• The six neighbouring elementary schools in the area (École Central; Alwin Holland; Robert Ogilvie; Bert Ambrose; CM – Finch, and Duncan Cran) are currently over-capacity at 117%.
• Bernier will visit 27 schools throughout the province, during November and December 2015, to see B.C.’s new curriculum in action and the innovative learning taking place in B.C. classrooms.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $27 million in capital projects in the Peace River North School District.
• Since 2001, more than $4.2 billion has been committed to school capital and maintenance projects throughout British Columbia.
• As part of the Routine Capital Program, government has invested more than $1.2 million to improve and upgrade schools in the Peace River North School District.
• StrongStart BC early learning programs provide school-based early learning services for adults and their young children (aged birth to five years) at no cost to B.C. families. They offer unique opportunities for parents, guardians and grandparents to be involved in their child’s early learning experience.

Learn More:

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

BC’s Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca/

School District 60: www.prn.bc.ca/

StrongStart BC: http://ow.ly/UUlZ1

Neighbourhood Learning Centres: http://ow.ly/UUlV0

Apprentices on Public Projects: http://ow.ly/UUlNg

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: http://ow.ly/UUlJ8