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SURREY
– The Province will spend $4.2
million to seismically upgrade Dr. F.D. Sinclair elementary school,
Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave S. Hayer announced today.
“The
Province has a $1.5-billion dollar plan to ensure the structural integrity of
our schools,” said Hayer. “The upgrades to F.D. Sinclair are certainly good
news for students and staff in my community.”
A
seismic retrofit of the school will include the following measures:
·
upgrading the roof.
·
upgrading classroom
walls.
·
improving connections
between the roof, walls and foundations.
·
reinforcing gymnasium
walls.
“This
seismic work will ensure students and staff continue to have a safe place to
learn and work,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “This is part of our
commitment to seismically upgrade the highest priority schools in the
province.”
Dr.
F.D. Sinclair elementary is a large two-storey school with over 550 students,
and enrolment is projected to increase steadily over the next 10 years.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2008 with completion
expected in the summer of 2009. Students will be housed in portable classrooms
during the construction.
“Our board is happy to see progress on
seismic upgrades for our schools and it’s great to have the ministry’s support
in getting this work done,” said Surrey board of education chair Reni Masi.
“District staff will do all it can to assist the school community at Dr. F.D.
Sinclair elementary as this important work is underway.”
Since
2001, 27 capital projects worth $151.7 million have been completed in the
Surrey school district. This is in addition to the Province’s $1.5-billion
seismic upgrade program, which has directed $11.4 million to the district for
seismic upgrades to four schools since 2005.
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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