NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008EDUC0158-001821 Nov. 28, 2008	Ministry of Education
$48 MILLION TO BUILD GREEN SCHOOLS IN REVELSTOKE

REVELSTOKE – The Province is providing nearly $48 million to build a new elementary school and replace Revelstoke Secondary, Minister of Health Services George Abbott announced today on behalf of Education Minister Shirley Bond.

 

“Our government has made it a priority to ensure that our schools are safer, healthier and more sustainable,” said Abbott. “These two new schools will provide for the needs of our students and educators and are an example of what can be accomplished through co-operation between school districts and government.”

 

A new K-7 school will replace both Mountain View Elementary and Mount Begbie Elementary – schools that were built in 1914 and 1966, respectively. The new school will combine the student populations and provide a modernized, environmentally efficient learning space that can accommodate up to 80 kindergarten and 250 elementary students. It will be built on the site of Revelstoke Secondary at a cost $13.4 million.

 

            Revelstoke Secondary will also be replaced by an upgraded, green school with a capacity for 475 students. After assessing the age and condition of the building, replacing the school for $34.5 million proved to be a more cost-effective option than renovation. Both new schools will be designed to meet LEED Gold environmental standards.

 

“Both new buildings will be designed to high efficiency standards for greater savings and a reduced environmental impact,” said Bond. “This is a cost-effective option to ensure that students and staff are learning and working in the right educational setting.”

 

“This project will create an exciting future for School District 19 and our community,” said Revelstoke board of education chair Alan Chell. “We are committed to maintaining outstanding learning environments and are thrilled to be moving ahead with construction of these new green, state-of-the-art schools.”

 

Annual facility grant and bus funding for the Revelstoke School district has totalled $2.6 million since 2001. This is funding that is provided to all districts to upgrade mechanical systems, upgrade or replace existing building components – such as roofing, interior and exterior finishes – and for other maintenance needs.

 

 

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 B.C. 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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