A Saanich school that’s been closed all week will be shuttered for at least one more day due to a burst water line, according to the district.
The Saanich School District, in a notice Tuesday, says Lochside Elementary on Royal Oak Drive will be closed again on Wednesday, Jan. 17, because “our initial attempt to repair the water main into the school was not successful.”
The school has been closed since Monday, and, in its initial notice two days prior, the district said the building was “not acceptable for students as per health and safety regulations,” prompting the closure.
The pipe burst amid cold weather, and the district says a repair crew is working “around the clock” to fix it.
“However, none (of the necessary materials) are available locally and therefore must be ordered,” the district said, adding that it will continue to keep parents and guardians informed “in a timely fashion.”
It says it realizes the closure is inconvenient for the school community but is hopeful classes can resume soon.
“Should we not be able to open the school on Thursday, parents/guardians can expect their child’s teacher to connect with them by the end of the day Wednesday regarding learning opportunities,” it said.
Updates are posted on the school’s website.
The recent cold snap wreaked havoc across Vancouver Island, including in Sooke, where a frozen pipe burst at the Prestige Oceanfront Resort and flooded the hotel. Meanwhile, in Nanaimo, 25 people were forced out of a warming centre due to a burst pipe.
An Environment Canada meteorologist tells CHEK News more schools in Greater Victoria could be closed Wednesday due to an inbound snowstorm.
READ MORE: Snowstorm inbound for B.C.’s South Coast, including parts of Vancouver Island
Ethan Morneau
