Tuesday, January 8, 2008

SEISMIC UPGRADES MAKE CHAFFEY-BURKE ELEMENTARY SAFER

The Province has approved $2.9 million for seismic upgrades to Chaffey-Burke elementary school to ensure that the learning environment is safe for students and staff, Burnaby-Willingdon MLA John Nuraney announced today.

“These seismic upgrades are part of the Province’s $1.5-billion dollar plan to prepare our schools in the event of an earthquake,” said Nuraney. “Chaffey-Burke elementary has been an integral part of the Burnaby community for decades, and these improvements will ensure it continues to be for years to come.”

The school’s gymnasium and classrooms will undergo seismic improvements, which include:

· Strengthening the walls with new concrete walls;

· Reinforcing existing concrete masonry walls and foundations; and

· Improving connections between the roof, walls and foundations.

“This seismic work will ensure students and staff continue to have a safe place to learn and work,” said Education Minister Shirley Bond. “This is part of our commitment to upgrade the highest priority schools as quickly as possible.”

Construction on the two-storey school is expected to begin in the spring of 2008 and be completed in the spring of 2009. Three portables will be used as temporary classroom space for the students of Chaffey-Burke elementary during the upgrade.

“We are so pleased to learn that our school will be seismically upgraded,” said Burnaby board of education chair Kathy Corrigan. “The safety of our students and our staff is very important, and these upgrades will certainly make us better equipped to handle a seismic event.”

Since 2001, the Province has spent over $1.1 billion to complete 26 new schools, 35 replacements, 144 additions and 25 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 across the province.


News Release

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