$20M IN UPGRADES FOR MAPLE RIDGE SCHOOL

MAPLE RIDGE – Garibaldi secondary school will receive $20 million in upgrades for more classrooms, improved learning facilities, and structural upgrades, Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Randy Hawes announced today.

“These upgrades will go a long way to improving the learning environment at Garibaldi secondary school for our students and teachers,” said Hawes. “It will also make the buildings ‘greener’ and compliant with current building codes while allowing more students to study.”

With this funding, the school’s capacity will increase to 1,050 students. The renovations include the replacement of one wing with a new, larger classroom building and central library space, seismic upgrades and renovations to make the school buildings compliant with current building codes.

The B.C. government has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent before 2020. As part of its efforts to help achieve this goal, the Ministry of Education is ensuring that all new schools are able to meet the LEED Gold Standard and all renovations comply with Green Buildings BC’s High Performance Standards. At Garibaldi, several changes are being made to make the building more environmentally friendly including:

In-floor and in-wall heat,
Increasing natural light in classrooms,
Energy efficient, low-velocity air circulation systems, and
Electronic controls and improved lighting that lower energy costs.

“With environmental upgrades, renovations and the structural improvements, Garibaldi will be a better place to learn and work,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “B.C. students are some of the best in the world, and our commitment to safe, modern schools is one of the ways we are helping to maintain that high level of success.”

“The new school design for Garibaldi secondary includes a feature library as well as other design concepts that support the provincial government’s green initiative,” said Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows board chair Cheryl Ashlie. “The board believes that all our students and staff deserve learning environments that are appealing and safe, and this project will afford both.”

Since 2001, the Province has invested $37.2 million in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows school district to complete six capital projects, including five additions and the construction of one new school.

Since 2001, government has spent more than $1.3 billion on school capital projects to complete 26 new schools, 41 replacement schools, 147 additions, 25 renovations and 20 site acquisitions. 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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Media contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

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