Two schools on the Saanich Peninsula are set to receive major seismic upgrades.
Deep Cove Elementary is to be included in a $1.4 million project agreement between the Ministry of Education and the Saanich Board of Education.
On behalf of Education Minister Don McRae, local MLA Murray Coell joined Saanich Board of Education chair Wayne Hunter, students, teachers and staff for the announcement at the school on April 12.
Contract bids for the construction stage this summer will now be sought and construction is slated to begin later this year. Substantial completion of the seismic upgrade is expected by April 2014.
“Deep Cove is a thriving and beautiful part of North Saanich and this school serves hundreds of local families,” said Coell.
“The seismic upgrade for Deep Cove Elementary will ensure the school provides an especially safe and secure learning environment for teachers, staff and students for many years to come.”
Deep Cove Elementary was built in 1956 and has received a number of additions between 1965 and 1991.
“Making sure our students, teachers and administrators are safe is a priority for the Saanich school district. We’re very appreciative of the upgrades coming to Deep Cove Elementary and we look forward to continuing to work with the ministry as the project progresses,” said Hunter.
Parkland Secondary School is also slated to receive seismic upgrades through the School Seismic Mitigation Program through 2014 and 2015.
Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $55.6 million in capital projects in the Saanich school district, including Kelset Elementary, the replacement Royal Oak Middle school and an addition to Prospect Lake Elementary.
Forty-five schools in total were chosen to receive seismic upgrades through the province’s mitigation program including Cordova Bay Elementary and Lochside Elementary, also in the Saanich district.
Coell’s announcement at Deep Cove Elementary marked his last one as MLA before his retirement.