NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2011EDUC0090-001378 Oct. 28, 2011

Ministry of Education

 

Oak Bay to get new high school

 

VICTORIA – Oak Bay High will be replaced by a state-of-the-art new school with a Neighbourhood Learning Centre that will play host to an array of programs and services to serve local family and community needs.

 

The estimated $50.1-million replacement school will be designed to LEED Gold or equivalent standards and will meet the latest seismic construction standards. It will have the capacity to accommodate 1,300 students, including district-funded space for 100 international students.

 

Thanks to a $1-million contribution from the District of Oak Bay, the existing 1957 gymnasium will be retained and converted into a performing arts theatre and drama support space for school and community use. The Greater Victoria school district will continue its consultation with community partners, including Oak Bay Parks and Recreation, to finalize which features will be offered as part of the Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

 

 

Quotes:

 

Minister of Education George Abbott –

 

“Schools are central assets to the neighbourhoods they serve and we want to increase their usefulness and importance so both students and residents can benefit from available services and programs. I congratulate the Greater Victoria board of education for combining the interests of students with those of the surrounding community.”

 

MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head Ida Chong –

 

“This new school will be a welcome addition to the fabric of this community. In particular, I expect the school’s Neighbourhood Learning Centre to be a tremendous asset for Oak Bay students and families.”

 

Oak Bay Mayor Christopher Causton –

 

“We all look forward to enjoying a new and revitalized Oak Bay High school. Thanks to excellent and ongoing co-operation between the municipality, the school district and the community, this project will produce lasting benefits for generations of Oak Bay residents.”

 

Greater Victoria board of education chair Tom Ferris –

 

“We are grateful that the government of British Columbia will accommodate student learning in a safe and modern structure. We are waiting to see what the design will look like and how it will incorporate the thorough input received from the community.”

 

Oak Bay High school principal Dave Thomson –

 

“Students, parents and staff of Oak Bay High school are truly energized with the news that this project is moving forward. We are thankful for the effort from each of our stakeholder groups, all of whom gave their time to collaborate on the design of the new Oak Bay High School. As principal of Oak Bay High School, I would like to thank everybody who helped make the new building a reality.”

 

 

Quick Facts:

 

·         The original Oak Bay Secondary school was constructed in 1929, Oak Bay Junior High was built in 1953 and the two schools were amalgamated in 1970.

·         Grades 9-12 enrolment at Oak Bay High was reported at 1,061 students for the 2010-11 school year.

·         Since 2001, government has invested more than $95 million to complete 21 school capital and seismic projects in the Greater Victoria school district, including seismic upgrades to Margaret Jenkins Elementary and the partial replacement of Doncaster Elementary.

·         During the same period, the Province has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions, and has committed more than $3.9 billion overall to school capital and maintenance projects.

 

 

Learn More:

Find out about British Columbia’s Neighbourhood Learning Centres at: www.neighbourhoodlearningcentres.gov.bc.ca

 

 

Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement Ministry of Education 250 356-5963

 

Connect with the Province of B.C. at: www.gov.bc.ca/connect