Construction is well underway on the seismic upgrade and partial replacement of École Alpha Secondary school.

MLA for Burnaby North Richard T. Lee met with students, teachers, staff, school district officials and the construction crew at the school today to tour the work underway on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier.

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The seismic mitigation portion of the project includes upgrading the gyms, classrooms, administrative and shop rooms. This work is 50% complete and is expected to be finished by this summer.

The north wing of the school is being replaced to provide a more efficient learning space for students. The result will be new open learning spaces and a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) lab to support B.C.'s new curriculum. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards will be followed during construction. The west wing will be demolished and the site converted to a green space.

The Province is contributing $26.6 million towards the project and the Burnaby School District is contributing $566,000. It is estimated that about 80 full-time jobs have been created as a result of this project. This past summer, six former Grade 12 students from École Alpha were employed doing demolition, drilling and helping to install the structural steel. One of the six students is still working on-site and is now registered for an apprenticeship program through the Industry Training Authority.

The new home for the Aztecs will house 1,100 students, the project is on track and on budget to complete in 2018. The project will also help ensure young people get a chance to learn the trades, as it is being built under B.C.’s Apprentices on Public Projects Policy.  

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects across the province, like the École Alpha Secondary seismic and partial replacement project – and in doing so, these construction projects are creating high paying, family supporting jobs. These investments are possible because of B.C.’s strong fiscal plan – and through each, we are Building a Strong BC – together.

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Quotes:

Richard T. Lee, MLA for Burnaby North –

“It’s exciting to see such great progress being made on this important seismic project. This seismic upgrade and partial replacement is a great example of how government is investing in B.C. schools to ensure students have safe and modern learning environments for many years to come. Through these strategic investments, we are building a brighter future for B.C. – together.”

Ron Burton, Burnaby board of education chair –

“Both the seismic construction and learning are happening simultaneously at École Alpha, with minimal disruptions. Students are already enjoying their new student commons, and, along with staff, are excited about what’s to come. The project team has certainly done some impressive work redesigning the school so that it enhances the learning experience for all, and we are pleased that Alpha graduates have been able to hang their hard hat on this project too.”  

Quick Facts:

• École Alpha Secondary school was built in 1952.
• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $174-million to complete 22 capital and seismic projects, and three School Enhancement Program projects at Alpha Secondary, Aubrey Elementary, and Stride Avenue Community Schools in the Burnaby School District.
• Since 2011, the Province has invested more the $500 million on school seismic upgrade and replacement projects.
• Over the next three years, B.C. will invest $1.7 billion to replace and renovate aging school buildings and add more student spaces in growing communities.

Learn More:

For more information about the Ministry of Education’s Seismic Mitigation Program: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/capitalplanning/seismic/

Burnaby school district: http://www.sd41.bc.ca/

École Alpha Secondary school: http://alpha.sd41.bc.ca/

For more information on the Apprentices on Public Projects policy visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/stories/public-project-contractors-required-to-sponsor-apprentices

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

See project renderings of what the new school will look like here:
https://flic.kr/p/RKhLxF
https://flic.kr/p/RKhLyx
https://flic.kr/p/RKhLsR