The B.C. government has approved a project to replace the Port Renfrew Elementary School and provided almost $12 million.
This funding comes from the province’s seismic mitigation program, which assesses the risk of damage to a building in the event of an earthquake, and provides funds to replace or upgrade high-risk buildings.
“I’m proud that we are continuing to invest in the seismic safety of our students. These upgrades will ensure students in Port Renfrew are safer in school,” Rachna Singh, minister of education and child care said in a news release.
Port Renfrew Elementary is one of 498 schools across the province that have been identified to need seismic upgrades, 14 of which are in the Sooke School District (SD62) as of January 2023.
Of those 498 schools, 224 have had the projects completed, nine are under construction, six are proceeding to construction, 14 have a business case developed, and 245 are “future priorities.”
On the list of schools, which was last updated in January 2023, Port Renfrew was listed as one of those with a business case developed.
“We are thrilled that approval has been granted by the Ministry of Education and Child Care for the construction of a sustainable and seismically safe 50-seat replacement school in Port Renfrew,” said Amanda Dowhy, board chair of the Sooke School District.
“Our collaboration with the Pacheedaht Nation over the years has been instrumental in achieving this milestone, and we look forward to furthering our partnership as the school project progresses from plans to reality.”
Laura Brougham
