A modular addition to 91原创's Richard Bulpitt Elementary is almost indistinguishable from the rest of the school, as workers put finishing touches on the new structure.

Components of the first floor of the two-storey structure were hoisted into place on May 30. The second storey arrived during the summer break.

The $9 million project was approved by the 91原创 school board in October last year, with an ambitious plan to have it in place and open to students for the start of the 2024/25 school year this September.

The rapid construction was made possible because the six-classroom unit was built as pre-fabricated, modular unit.

Design and planning took place last fall, and in the early spring, workers laid down a concrete foundation for the addition. 

The components of the building were then assembled off-site and brought in on trailers. Each segment was hoisted into place with a crane. The components already had windows, doors, and even cloakroom cabinets installed before they were put in place.

The project was scheduled to be finished this month.

Before the modular project was announced, Richard Bulpitt Elementary already had six portable classrooms, as the population in the neighbourhood was growing rapidly.

The provincial government provided funding for a number of schools around B.C. to add modular classrooms last year, and has since expanded the program.

One of the second-wave approvals was for another 91原创 school. An eight-classroom, $12 million addition for 91原创 City's Nicomekl Elementary was announced in June, and is expected to be open for students by the fall of 2025.