Students, teachers and staff at Coquihalla Elementary school are benefiting from a safer and larger school thanks to a $3-million new seismically safe wing with four classrooms.

MLA for Chilliwack-Hope Laurie Throness visited the school today on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier to celebrate the completion and tour the new addition. The celebration included a school choir performance and First Nation welcome. Throness was joined by Linda Kerr, chair of the Fraser-Cascade board of education, Ken Hansen, Chief of the Yale First Nation, school district officials, staff and students.

The new wing also included a multipurpose room and accessible washrooms. The parking lot was reconfigured and sprinkler systems were installed throughout the school.

(flickr.com)

The project also included moving about 100 students from the seismic high-risk C.E. Barry Intermediate school into new safe classrooms at Coquihalla. C.E. Barry Intermediate, which was operating below capacity, was then closed. The remaining 50 students from C.E. Barry Intermediate were moved to Silver Creek Elementary and Hope Secondary. Moving the students into the new addition and neighbouring schools ensures their safety while reducing operating costs for the district. 

The upgrades were funded through the Ministry of Education’s Seismic Mitigation Program. Government is able to make investments like the Coquihalla Elementary school seismic mitigation project, thanks to the Province’s fiscal discipline and strong economy.

Quotes:

Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope –

“The Province is committed to moving forward with seismic upgrades and making sure investments in education directly benefit students in classrooms. These new classrooms and amenities will provide Coquihalla students, teachers and staff with a safe and accessible place to learn, teach and work for years to come.” 

Linda Kerr, board chair, Fraser-Cascade school district –

“Fraser-Cascade school district is very pleased to be able to open four new classrooms at Coquihalla Elementary school in Hope. The contractors did an excellent job of blending the new with the old.”

Quick Facts:

• Coquihalla Elementary school operates a StrongStart BC program for children from birth to five years of age.
• Since 2001, government has committed more than $4.2 billion to school capital projects in B.C., including 112 new and replacement schools, 186 additions, and 150 schools seismically improved.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $8.8 million in the Fraser-Cascade school district for the following projects:
  • $1-million addition at Hope Secondary
  • $1.3-million renovation at Agassiz Elementary/Secondary
  • $3.5-million seismic upgrade at Hope Secondary, and
  • $3-million Seismic Mitigation Program addition at Coquihalla Elementary.

(flickr.com)

Learn More:

Coquihalla Elementary: http://www.coquihallaschool.com/

Fraser-Cascade school district: http://www.sd78.bc.ca/

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

StrongStart BC: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/learn/strongstart-bc

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