The $9.8-million seismic upgrade project at Yale Secondary is now complete, ensuring students, teachers and staff have a safe place to learn and teach for years to come.

MLA for Abbotsford South Darryl Plecas visited the school on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier to tour the newly completed upgrades. Plecas was joined by students, and school and district staff members to celebrate the completed project.

The project included seismically upgrading the two core blocks at the centre of the school. One of the upgraded blocks hosts administration, drama and music facilities, and the other houses computer rooms, science rooms and a home economics room. Specific upgrades include various concrete work, new reinforced shear walls, upgrades to roof and floors and the replacement of all mechanical and electrical equipment and fixtures in the upgraded areas.

The project also brings a seismic-monitoring device to the school, which will help the staff and students better respond to an earthquake.

The Province contributed $6.6 million towards the project, and the school district contributed $3.2 million.

While construction was underway, students were housed in seven on-site portables. The upgrade began in the summer of 2015 and was completed in September 2016, in time for back to school. Including Yale Secondary, six of the district’s eight seismic-school projects are now complete.

Government is able to make school investments like Yale Secondary school seismic-mitigation project, thanks to the Province’s fiscal discipline and strong economy.

Quotes:

Darryl Plecas, MLA for Abbotsford South –

“I’m thrilled to celebrate the completion of these seismic upgrades at Yale Secondary. These new upgrades will provide students with a safer and more efficient learning space for many generations to come.”

Rhonda Pauls, board chair, Abbotsford school district –

“On behalf of the Abbotsford Board of Education, I would like to say how pleased we are to see the facility upgrade completed at Yale Secondary school. The seismic upgrade provided an opportunity to renew and refresh many aspects at this busy campus. We are very appreciative of the partnership we have with the Ministry of Education, which allowed this project to move forward and to the many trades and partners who provided their assistance throughout the renovation.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $150 million in the Abbotsford School District, including:
  • $9.8-million addition to Abbotsford Traditional school;
  • $15.3-million replacement of Abbotsford Middle school; and
  • $43.9-million partial replacement of Abbotsford Senior Secondary school
• Yale Secondary school has a capacity of 1,200 students with 1,301 students currently enrolled.

Learn More:

Yale Secondary school: http://yale.sd34.bc.ca/

Abbotsford school district: http://www.sd34.bc.ca/

B.C.’s new curriculum: https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/

Seismic Mitigation Program: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/administration/resource-management/capital-planning/seismic-mitigation-program