Hundreds of students in 91原创 are returning to a modern and safer school, as the 91原创 Secondary school seismic upgrade and partial replacement project is complete.

Minister of Education Rob Fleming made the announcement late Friday, ahead of the Labour Day long weekend and ahead of kids heading back to class next Thursday.

鈥淏.C. families deserve to know their children will be protected if an earthquake should occur,鈥� Fleming said.

鈥淥ur government is accelerating investments in seismic safety, so more students can learn in safer schools. We鈥檙e working together with districts across the province to ensure every student can learn in a seismically safe school as soon as possible.鈥�

Our Saints will be seeing a few changes at their school. Upgrades have now been completed. Read more about it in the Ministry of Education鈥檚 news release below or here:

鈥� 91原创 Schools (@91原创Schools)

The Ministry of Education contributed $25.8 million to the 91原创 Secondary project, and the 91原创 school district added $426,000.

The project included seismic upgrades and a partial replacement to the school, creating 800 safe seats for students in Grades 9 to 12.

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鈥淲e are pleased to have the project completed,鈥� said Megan Dykeman, board chair for the local school district.

鈥淎s a board, we continue to advocate for seismically safe schools. We know these upgrades will help facilitate a safe and inspiring learning environment for our students.鈥�

In addition to new safety and learning upgrades, 91原创 Secondary has a new look.

Construction has also removed hazardous materials, upgraded fire-suppression systems, and improved accessibility.

Additionally, the partial replacement has linked previously separated sections into a unified whole, Dykeman explained.

91原创 families strongly support the continued use of the school.

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The school district led extensive community consultation on the seismic upgrades and partial replacement. Because it receives students from six elementary schools, 91原创 Secondary plays a central role in the community.

鈥淧arents want to be able to send their child to school and know the building is safe,鈥� said Michael Hylands, president, 91原创 Secondary鈥檚 parent advisory committee.

鈥淪tarting the school year in an enhanced learning space enables our students to focus on their work without worrying about the building they are in. I know our students and parent community are looking forward to continuing to work with the district and Province on improvements for our school,鈥� he said.

Investments in student safety are part of the province鈥檚 work to accelerate the seismic mitigation program, ensuring every B.C. student can attend a seismically safe school as soon as possible.

Learn More: Click for more information on the

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