March 1, 2010
Central Middle School to Receive Seismic Upgrade

VICTORIA - Central Middle school is one of the latest schools across the province being seismically upgraded and will undergo more than $14 million in renovations to improve and enhance the safety of the school, Oak Bay Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong announced today.

"Central Middle school has been a part of our community for more than 50 years, and this investment revitalizes the school for future generations of learners," said Chong. "We're following through on our commitment to school seismic upgrades and the changes at Central will help ensure that one of our district's landmark schools can continue to provide quality education for all area students."

Construction work is scheduled to begin in July 2010 and is expected to last until August next year. The foundation will be upgraded, walls will be reinforced and connections between the roof, walls, floors and foundation will be improved. The work will include replacing clay tile walls and installing new ceiling panels. Upgrades in classrooms, corridors, the drama room and gymnasium will also be undertaken. More energy-efficient windows will be installed, and interior walls will be reconfigured to make better use of space.

The students and staff will have temporary accommodation during the renovation at the former Richmond Elementary school.

"This government has made some of the largest investments ever in student safety, and the upgrades at Central Middle school mean the students will be learning in a modern, safer environment," said Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "Central will be able to continue to provide a healthy environment for staff, community members, and students for years to come."

Since 2001, 17 capital and seismic projects worth more than $68 million have been completed in the Greater Victoria school district, including an addition and seismic upgrade to Monterey Middle school and the replacement of Colquitz Middle school.

"The completion of these renovations and seismic upgrades is good news to our students, their parents and the community," said Greater Victoria board chair Tom Ferris. "We value what the province has done in regards to seismic upgrades; the work completed here is a significant investment in the health and safety of Central students and reflects a strong commitment to education in Greater Victoria."

The Province has spent more than $1.7 billion to complete 80 new and replacement schools, 148 additions, 26 renovation projects and 22 site acquisitions across B.C. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards. By the end of 2009-10, the Province will have committed more than $3.8 billion in school capital and maintenance projects across the province.

In 2005, the Province announced a $1.5-billion, 15-year program to seismically upgrade B.C. schools, and remains committed to that program. To date, 118 schools are complete, under construction or approved to proceed to construction, 64 school seismic upgrades have been completed, 29 more are under construction and another 25 schools have received approval to proceed to construction.

From 2001 to 2009, more than $469 million was spent on seismic upgrading of schools in 37 school districts in B.C. Over the past five years, the Province has provided a total of $25 million to districts in seismic-designated zones to complete non-structural seismic work, including attaching cabinets to walls, covering some windows with protective film and securing lights.

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