Expansion and seismic upgrading has started at Peter Ewart Middle School and B.C. Premier David Eby stopped by to check it out Thursday.
The school at 7755 202A St. is undergoing an 11 classroom expansion to add 275 seats, and seismic upgrades for the work that is expected to be done for autumn 2024. Students will continue to go to school during construction.
The province provided $37.8 million and the 91原创 School District contributed $1 million for the work on the school. The building, which dates from the 1970s, was refurbished and opened as a middle school in 2018/2019.
鈥淭his investment from the province will ensure the health and safety of our students and staff, and help relieve current and future enrolment pressures in our schools,鈥� said 91原创 board chair Candy Ashdown.
The building which is now Peter Ewart Middle School was the former site of RE Mountain Secondary School. The original building was built in 1975 and opened as RE Mountain Secondary School in 1977, explained Tristan Schaufler, the district director of Facilities, Transportation, and Capital Projects. In 2016, the building of a new RE Mountain Secondary School was approved. In 2019, a new site for RE Mountain Secondary School opened adjacent to its former site. The original building was then reconfigured into a middle school. In 2019, the building transitioned and opened as Peter Ewart Middle School.
鈥淎s seismic standards changed, and assessments were completed over the years, seismic issues were identified and now in 2023 they are being addressed,鈥� Schaufler said. 鈥淭he district is pleased to be able to benefit from this seismic upgrade project to ensure a safe and secure building as well as create new spaces for students.鈥�
The government announced the project in June.
鈥淐ommunities like 91原创 are growing quickly, and families need schools to grow with them,鈥� said Premier David Eby. 鈥淔or years, previous governments failed to plan for this growth and our kids paid the price. That鈥檚 why we鈥檝e made building and improving schools in fast-growing regions like 91原创 and across B.C. a top priority 鈥� and there鈥檚 much more to do.鈥�
The province has funded more than $230 million to build, expand and improve schools in 91原创. Projects include seismic upgrades at Shortreed Community Elementary, Vanguard Secondary, Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary, an expansion at 91原创 Secondary School and the recently announced new Northeast Latimer Elementary. The 91原创 School District has contributed $12.2 million to these projects.
鈥淭he expansion and seismic upgrade of Peter Ewart Middle School is great news for 91原创 families,鈥� said Megan Dykeman, MLA for 91原创 East. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important for parents to have peace of mind that their child is attending a modern and safe school.鈥�
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