June 21, 2010
New Technical Wing for B.C.'s Oldest Secondary School

VICTORIA - Victoria High school is receiving the newest, seismically sound education wing on the Island to support its growing trades training program, announced Oak Bay-Gordon Head MLA Ida Chong today.

"This school originated in 1876 and has developed into one of the most sought after high schools on the Island for students pursuing a career in the trades," said Chong. "As we celebrate the groundbreaking here today, we can envision the positive impact this new wing will have on the program that allows students to earn their first-year apprenticeship equivalency while still in high school."

The Fairey Technical Building is the centre of Victoria High school's well-known trades training program and is being replaced with a brand new, seismically sound technical wing.

"This $10-million seismic project will not only provide a safer and more modern learning space, but will help keep this piece of Victoria's heritage standing for the next hundred years," said Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. "Maintaining a safe and functional school is important to preserve the excellence of B.C.'s school system."

For more than 60 years, Victoria High school has been helping students work toward their journeyman designation in various skilled trades. Today, the school has advanced carpentry, welding and auto body among its technical programs.

"The seismic upgrade will bring a greater sense of safety for the parents and students of Victoria High school," says Greater Victoria board chair, Tom Ferris. "We are happy to have the support of the Province as the district continues to go through these upgrades."

All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards. The Fairey Technical building seismic project at Victoria High school will begin this July and is expected to be complete in 2011.

Since 2001, the Province has invested $68.5 million to complete 17 seismic and capital projects in the Greater Victoria school district, including the replacement of Colquitz Middle school. Over the same period, 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.

The Province has provided a total of $25 million over the past five years to school districts in seismic zones to complete non-structural seismic work. This includes such work as attaching cabinets to walls, covering windows with protective film and securing lights. By the end of 2009-10, the Province will have committed more than $3.8 billion in school capital and maintenance projects.

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