Greater Victoria School District considering demolishing Vic High

Greater Victoria School District considering demolishing Vic High
CHEK

Victoria High School opened in 1914 and has the highest ranking for seismic risk. (Megan Thomas/CBC)

Victoria High School opened in 1914 and has the highest ranking for seismic risk. (Megan Thomas/CBC)

The Greater Victoria School District is considering tearing down Vic High as it looks at options for seismic upgrades for the facility.

According to School District 61, the school has an H-1 seismic ranking, with a prediction of widespread damage or structural failure in the event of an earthquake.

“The motivation is to have a safe school to have a safe environment for the students to be in and to be honest, Vic High has been very high on the list of schools needing earthquake upgrades. They’ve been very, very high for many years,” Tom Ferris, vice-chair of the school board, said.

The school district said that tearing down the school and building a new facility is the cheapest of three options currently being considered.

The three options are:

  1. A new building, between $50-60 million.
  2. Seismic upgrades and modernization of electrical and mechanical systems, between $60-70 million
  3. Retain the exterior and rebuild interior, between $100-110 million

The district also said building a new facility would increase the capacity of the school from 850 students to 1,000 students.

The high school is 104 years old and is the oldest public high school in British Columbia. The public can share their feedback on all the options at two open house on April 7 and April 18 in Vic High’s gymnasium. An online survey will also be launched next month.

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