TWO B.C. SCHOOLS TO GET $8.6M IN SEISMIC UPGRADES

VICTORIA – Two more B.C. schools will be seismically upgraded thanks to an $8.6-million investment, Saanich North and the Islands MLA Murray Coell announced today.

“Ensuring the continued safety of our students is a top priority for this government,” said Coell. “We are the first government to implement such an extensive plan to seismically upgrade schools in B.C.”

Saltspring Island Middle school in Ganges and École Rose-des-Vents in Vancouver are slated for upgrades. Work on Saltspring Island Middle school will begin in September 2008, and construction at École Rose-de-Vents began this month. Students will continue attending the schools during construction.

The planned seismic upgrades at both schools include strengthening existing roofs and improving connections between the roof and walls, and strengthening existing wood-frame walls. At Saltspring Island Middle school, two masonry chimneys will be removed and replaced, while at École Rose-des-Vents, the interior walls will be reinforced with plywood sheathing.

“Students, parents, teachers and staff will be even safer with these seismic upgrades,” said Gulf Islands Board of Education chair May McKenzie. “We can now focus on the success of our students, knowing the building is safe.”

This is the second capital project undertaken in the Gulf Islands school district since 2001. Pender Island Elementary/Secondary underwent a $2-million addition that was completed in 2003.

“The Conseil scolaire francophone is pleased to work with the province to help ensure the continued safety of our students and staff at École Rose-des-Vents,” said Marie Bourgeois, chair of the Conseil scolaire francophone (CSF). “Parents, students and staff are reassured they are learning and working in the safest environment possible.”

Since 2001, the CSF has built one new school, two replacement schools and has acquired six schools from other school districts on a cost-sharing basis between the provincial and federal governments. Provincial funding for these projects to date is more than $56 million. Currently, the CSF is constructing the new École Secondaire Jules-Verne on the current site of École Rose-des-Vents, and the project is expected to be completed this fall.

“The upgrades at Saltspring Island Middle school and École Rose-des-Vents are a part of our 15-year, $1.5-billion plan for school seismic upgrades,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “Having safer schools is a priority for government and school districts.”

The Province has invested over $1.3 billion since 2001 to complete 67 new and replacement schools, 147 additions, 25 renovation projects and 20 site acquisitions across British Columbia. 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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