$1.3M FOR SEISMIC UPGRADES AT DISCOVERY ELEMENTARY

SURREY – Discovery Elementary school is being made safer with $1.3 million in seismic upgrades, Surrey-Tynehead MLA Dave S. Hayer announced today.

“We are particularly pleased to support this critical work for Discovery Elementary,” said Hayer. “In a time of declining student enrolment across the province, Surrey is one of the few growing school districts.”

Seismic upgrades at Discovery Elementary include:

· Reinforcing existing giant brick walls in classroom wing.

· Creating new shear walls.

· Improving connections between roof, walls and foundations in classroom and gymnasium wings.

“Student safety is a priority for our government, and these upgrades will help ensure that this school provides a safer learning environment for students and staff,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “We are continuing to work with school districts to ensure that seismic projects are given priority.”

“Trustees continue to advocate for seismic upgrades for our schools wherever necessary,” said Surrey Board of Education chair Reni Masi. “Our board is very pleased the Ministry of Education is funding this important project, and trustees appreciate the patience of Discovery Elementary school students, staff and parents as the construction proceeds.”

Work on the structural upgrade is set to begin this winter and be finished in the summer of 2009.

Since 2001, 27 capital and four seismic projects worth $171 million have been completed in the Surrey school district, including seismic upgrades to Senator Reid Elementary, Frank Hurt Secondary, Ellendale Elementary and Mountainview Montessori. Seismic upgrades are also currently underway or ready to proceed to construction at six Surrey schools.

Since 2001, the Province has spent over $1.4 billion to complete 73 new and replacement schools, 147 additions, 25 renovation projects and 20 site acquisitions across British Columbia. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards. Under the Province's $1.5-billion Seismic Mitigation Program, 30 seismic upgrades have been completed, 33 more are under construction and another 15 schools have been approved to proceed to construction.

In addition, every year, the Province provides a total of $5 million to districts in seismic-designated zones to complete “non-structural” seismic work. This includes work such as attaching cabinets to walls, covering windows with protective film and securing lights. By the end of 2008/09, the Province will have committed 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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