The B.C. government and the Prince George School District are taking action to improve student safety and support student learning by investing $44.3 million to replace the 56-year-old Kelly Road Secondary school.

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie and Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount made the announcement today on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier, alongside school district officials, students and staff from the school.

The Kelly Road Secondary school project includes replacing the existing school with a fully accessible state-of-the-art building on the same site, with enough space to welcome up to 900 students.

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The new school will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards. The interior will include lots of natural light, and large open and collaborative learning spaces to support B.C.’s new curriculum.

Construction is expected to start in the fall of 2017, with students continuing to learn in the existing school until the new school is ready. Once the new school is completed, the existing Kelly Road Secondary school will be demolished.

The total price tag of the new school is $44.3 million, with $43.3 million coming from the B.C. government and $1 million coming from the Prince George School District.

The school-replacement project is also helping ensure young people get a chance to learn the trades, as it is being built under B.C.’s Apprentices on Public Projects Policy, part of the B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint. This is one way the Province is helping ensure more people in B.C. get connected with skills-training and apprenticeship opportunities.

The B.C. government is making record investments in modern, safe infrastructure projects throughout the province. In doing so, these construction projects are creating well-paying, family-supporting jobs. This project is anticipated to create about 135 local jobs. These investments are possible because of the fiscal plan of the B.C. government.

Quotes:

Mike Morris, MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie –  

“Kelly Road Secondary has served as the only high school for northern Prince George for years. Built in the early 1960’s, the school has served many purposes and has seen many additions. It has served the community well and it’s now time to bring a new school in, designed to better suit the needs of today’s learner.”

Shirley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Valemount –

“As a former trustee I know how important this project is to our district. This has been a high priority for many years and I am excited we are moving forward. This $44.3-million investment provides a state-of-the art school for students and teachers and will create local jobs. The new Kelly Road Secondary school will provide a modern, safe and inspiring place to learn, teach and work for years to come.”

Tim Bennett, chairperson, School District No. 57 –

"Kelly Road Secondary has a great history in the community as the only secondary school in Prince George north of the Nechako River. The current building is nearing end of life and the Board of Education is excited that today's announcement will mean that the community will be able to continue that legacy in a new building. When the project is complete students and staff will have a facility that is modern, energy efficient and that is designed to meet the needs of 21st century learning and teaching."

Quick Fact:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $58.7 million in the Prince George School District for capital projects, including the new Valemount Secondary school, an addition to Southridge Elementary school and the replacement of Duchess Park Secondary school.

Learn More:

Prince George School District: www.sd57.bc.ca/Pages/default.aspx

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/