Two elementary schools in Richmond have been approved for seismic upgrades – after two years of no new projects approved in the school district.
The ministry of education has earmarked more than $33 million to upgrade Dixon and DeBeck elementary schools – almost $18 million for the former and about $15.5 million for the latter.
DeBeck was previously approved for a building envelope upgrade.
Furthermore, a new accessible playground will be installed at Maple Lane elementary, worth $165,000.
This follows a recent announcement from the province to upgrade HVAC systems in several secondary schools.
The Richmond Board of Education, meanwhile, is looking at spending $12 million from its own capital reserve fund to upgrade HVAC systems in 17 elementary schools that currently don’t have mechanical ventilation.
The ventilation upgrades were discussed at last months’ board of education meeting, but it is on the agenda for next week’s meeting for a final decision.
One trustee, Donna Sargent, expressed concerns about using the school district’s own reserves – which were originally from the sale of Steveston secondary – for something that could be funded later by the province.
If approved by the board of education, the HVAC systems would be installed in the elementary schools over two summers.
