A $22-million expansion project at Valleyview Secondary is one step closer to reality now that the Ministry of Education has requested a detailed project plan from the school district.
School District 73 says it received a letter from the ministry setting out the government’s support for capital projects in the area. First on the list was a request for a Project Definition Report for the Valleyview secondary renovation, which was also at the top of the school district’s capital list.
According to the district, the ministry has asked for the report outlining the engineering plan and cost to be submitted by Nov. 30, setting the stage for a funding commitment in early 2019.
“This is tremendous news,” board of education chair Meghan Wade said in a press release.
“This board has worked very hard through the last year to make our government aware of the local need for new capital investment in our schools. I’m very grateful this government is taking steps to improve the educational experience for secondary students in our community.”
Valleyview Secondary currently operates at 140% capacity and is expected to rise to 176% capacity by 2025 without expansion, according to the district. There are eight portables on site, with another being installed this summer.
Other capital projects approved include a new dust system for shops at Westsyde and Sa-Hali secondary schools, each worth $400,000, and four new school buses worth $640,000.
