Construction underway to seismically upgrade Georges P. Vanier Secondary School
By On-Site Magazine
Construction Infrastructure Georges P. Vanier school seismic upgrade
Students at Georges P. Vanier Secondary are buzzing with anticipation now that work is underway to seismically upgrade and replace part of their school thanks to a $33.8-million investment.
Comox Valley MLA Don McRae visited the school October 3rd to celebrate the start of major construction for this important seismic mitigation project on behalf of Education Minister Mike Bernier. McRae was joined by school district officials, teachers and students to check out some of the construction and unveil the floor plans for the multi-phased upgrade.
“The start of construction brings this exciting and important project one step closer to home. Through our investment of $33.8 million to seismically upgrade Georges P. Vanier Secondary we will give students a more modern, safe and refreshed school – a school they can be proud of for years to come,” said McRae.
The work will be carried out in five phases and will include:
- replacing the front administrative and two-storey sections of the school with six new classrooms, a counselling suite and an administrative staff room;
- relocating the library to the centre of the school which will become a major focal point of the school;
- a new science super-lab with a large open area of supported lab stations and equipment that connects to classrooms;
- a new auditorium and multi-purpose room, which will connect to the existing drama room and provide flexible space for school programming as well as fine arts events; and,
- a new Aboriginal education room that will be connected to an outdoor courtyard to support Indigenous programs.
The school district is contributing $1 million towards the total project cost to upgrade the school’s almost 50-year-old mechanical and electrical systems, including heating and ventilation. The Province provided $32.8 million towards the project.
The project will be carried out in phases to minimize disruption to students. Phase one will build a new section, which students will be transferred to once work begins on the remaining areas of the school. Construction is expected to be completed in September 2018.
