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SURREY – The Province has approved $5 million in seismic upgrades to improve safety at Green Timbers elementary, Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave S. Hayer announced today.
“Our government is committed to having structurally sound buildings for our teachers and students,” said Hayer. “It’s wonderful to know the teaching and learning that goes on at Green Timbers will continue for many more years.”
Green Timbers elementary was built in 1955 and has undergone several additions between 1958 and 2000. The school is scheduled for the following upgrades:
· Upgrades to the roof.
· Upgrades to classroom walls to create new shear walls.
· Improving connections between the roof, the walls and the foundation.
· Reinforcing the gymnasium walls.
“Safety is a top priority with this government,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “Seismically upgrading schools ensures children and staff have a safer place to learn and work.”
The work on the project is scheduled to begin in spring of 2008 and finish in the summer of 2009. Students will be accommodated in portable classrooms during the seismic upgrades.
“It's great to see seismic
upgrades being done,” said board chair Reni Masi. “There may be some
inconvenience as work is being done, but the result will be a building the
Green Timbers school community can have more confidence in should an earthquake
occur.”
Since 2001, the Province has invested over $151.67 million in 27 school construction projects in the Surrey school district, including upgrades, additions, and new schools. Starting in 2005, the Province has also invested $6.3 million for seismic upgrades to three schools.
Since 2001, government
has spent more than $1.3 billion to complete 26 new schools, 41 replacement
schools, 147 additions, 25 renovations and 20 site acquisitions across British
Columbia. By the end of 2008-09,
government will have invested more than $3.1 billion in school capital and
maintenance projects across B.C.
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contact: |
Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 |
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