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NEW
WESTMINSTER – Plans to build two
schools in New Westminster will proceed under tight new controls, Education
Minister Shirley Bond announced today.
“This
marks a fresh start that will eventually see a new middle school and secondary
school constructed in New Westminster,” said Bond. “The Province will continue
working with the school district and community to ensure students and staff
have a safe and healthy place in which to learn and teach.”
The
secondary school and middle school were first announced in 2003, but were put
on hold because of projected district cost overruns. An independent consultant was
asked to review the project and help get it back on track. With that review now
complete, the school district is working closely with the Ministry of Education
on the project.
“I would like to
thank the ministry and the independent review team for working with us to come
up with an exciting proposal that will positively affect education in New
Westminster,” said Michael Ewen, New Westminster school board chair. “We look
forward to continuing this ongoing co-operative and productive relationship in
developing these capital projects with the ministry.”
The
New Westminster district will use a design-build method for the schools to
ensure construction stays on target and is completed as efficiently and cost
effectively as possible. The new schools will be built on the existing New
Westminster secondary school site, and the first of the two schools is expected
to be ready for use in 2009. The new schools will also be built to current
seismic standards.
“We’ve
said all along that we’re taking a different approach to school construction,”
said Bond. “The Chilliwack school district successfully used the design-build
method for its new G.W. Graham middle/secondary school, and I’m pleased New
Westminster will be using the same approach.”
The
construction of the two New Westminster schools supports government’s throne
speech commitment to work with boards to better manage capital planning across
all school districts.
Since 2001, the Province has spent
over $1 billion to complete 26 new schools, 32 replacements, 140 additions and
22 renovation projects across British Columbia. By the end of 2008-09, the
Province will have invested more than $2.8 billion in school capital and
maintenance projects.
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contact: |
Public Affairs Bureau Ministry of Education 250 356-5963 250 920-9040 (cell) |
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