Students, teachers and staff at Shortreed Community Elementary will soon have a structurally safer school now that seismic upgrades are underway.

“Every student in B.C. deserves to have the best learning experience possible, in a safe and supportive environment,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “With every school seismic upgrade in B.C., we are taking tangible steps toward a more secure future for students, families and staff.”

The Government of B.C. has invested more than $8.9 million in the project, which is expected to be completed in early 2023. Students and staff will be able to remain at Shortreed while the work is in progress.

Four portables will serve as a swing space on the site during construction. The completed renovation will continue to have capacity for a total of 470 students in kindergarten to Grade 5.

“The board appreciates the ministry’s support in helping create a safe learning environment for all students,” said Rod Ross, chair, Langley Board of Education. “We are pleased to see the Province making educational investments in our community.”  

Shortreed is a community school and is available to neighbours and residents of all ages to participate in educational, recreational and social programs and services.

This investment in student safety is part of the Province’s Seismic Mitigation Program to ensure every B.C. student can attend a seismically safe school as soon as possible.

Since September 2017, the Province has announced more than $1.2 billion for seismic upgrades or replacements at 58 B.C. schools, giving approximately 31,500 students a safer place to learn, with many more to come.

“The health and safety of students is always top of mind for families,” said Amy Synesael, president, Shortreed Community Elementary’s parent advisory council. “We look forward to seeing the work in progress. The completion of the project will help put parents and guardians at ease knowing that their children are safe at school in the event of an earthquake.” 

Budget 2021 includes nearly $3.5 billion for school capital investments, including new and expanded schools, seismic upgrades and replacements, and site purchases to ensure land is in place to accommodate growth in fast-growing communities throughout the province.

Quotes:

Andrew Mercier, MLA for Langley –

“People want to know that their loved ones are learning and working in a safe environment. Every investment in safer schools increases the quality of education that kids in British Columbia receive and ensures that B.C. schools continue to support future thinkers, leaders and builders.”

Megan Dykeman, MLA for Langley East –

“Our government is committed to ensuring a safe learning environment for students, educators and support staff throughout British Columbia. The seismic upgrade of Shortreed Elementary school in Aldergrove will enhance the safety and security of over 400 Langley children who attend Shortreed Elementary each year and those who work in our schools. As the former Langley Board of Education chair, I am very pleased at the progress our government is making toward achieving its goal of providing a safe learning environment for B.C.’s students and the dedicated educators and support staff upon which they depend.”

Learn More:

For more information about SD35, visit: https://www.sd35.bc.ca/  

For more information about the Ministry of Education’s Seismic Mitigation Program, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content?id=14848EBBEF10466D8C70DAAE25B4A1D4  

For more information about major public school capital projects underway, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/capital/major-capital-projects