$7.7 MILLION SEISMIC WORK PART OF DELTA SCHOOLS UPGRADE

DELTA – Delta South MLA Val Roddick celebrated with Delta school district officials and local dignitaries at the re-opening of Burnsview and Delview Secondary schools today.

“It’s terrific to see Delview and Burnsview Secondary reaping the benefits of an aggressive seismic upgrade plan for our schools,” said Roddick. “Since 2001, many construction projects have been completed in the Delta school district, including renovations to Delta Manor Elementary and seismic upgrades and retrofitting to Pinewood Elementary school. All of these upgrades show that safety is a government priority.”

Delview and Burnsview Secondary schools were renovated and expanded to include grades 11 and 12. Each school now has capacity for 700 students. As part of this renovation project, the Province invested $7.7 million for seismic upgrades on both schools.

The seismic component of the work on Burnsview Secondary and Delview Secondary included:

Removing the roof materials and adding sheathing to the top of the decking and installing a new roof membrane where required.
Wood posts and studs secured to the foundation using anchor rods.
New reinforcing bars installed to connect the walls from top of walls down into concrete foundation.

“The safety of students and staff is a priority for government and school districts. We are working hard to move all high-priority projects forward,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “By working with the Delta school district, we were able to combine these seismic upgrades with school expansions and move all work forward as efficiently as possible.”

“We appreciate this investment in the safety of Delta schools,” said Kelly Guichon, chair of the Delta School District. “This commitment will allow us to move forward confidently with the education of our children knowing that our buildings are safer and secure.”

Since 2001, the Province has completed seven additions, three renovations and two seismic upgrades in Delta. Those projects have included major renovation work to North Delta and South Delta Secondary schools. With the completion of the seismic upgrades to Burnsview and Delview it brings the total investment in Delta schools to more than $36.7 million.

In the same period, the Province has spent $1.3 billion to complete 26 new schools, 41 replacements, 147 additions and 25 renovation projects. By the end of 2008/09, the Province will have invested more than $3.1 billion in school capital and maintenance projects across the province.

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Media contact:	Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

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