Laundry list: SD8 gains approval on several upgrade projects slated for schools
By Timothy Schafer Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The region’s school district will receive a major boost to its infrastructure this summer.
Over $1.6 million will be injected into several schools in Kootenay Lake School District No. 8 (SD8) as part of the recent School Enhancement Program.
There will be heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system upgrades to Mount Sentinel Secondary and L.V. Rogers Secondary, with plumbing upgrades to Trafalgar Middle School. Upgrading HVAC systems will allow schools to be more energy efficient, while making schools “safer for students and staff during adverse weather conditions.”
Some money could be set aside for electric bus-charging stations.
Kitchen upgrades are to be performed at Kootenay River Secondary, Redfish Elementary and J.V. Humphries Secondary, with kitchen equipment upgrades at Salmo Elementary School.
Three new electric buses will also be purchased for the school district, adding to the two the district currently operates. Ninety-two electric school buses are operating in school districts throughout B.C., helping to reach the target of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from vehicle fleets by 40 per cent by 2030.
Overall, the Province will be offering up $291.9 million for school maintenance projects across the province to keep schools efficient, climate resilient and better able to support their school communities.
School food programs developed through the Province’s Feeding Futures funding will receive $5 million annually to create, improve or expand infrastructure through projects, such as food-delivery vans and kitchen upgrades, including electrical upgrades and the purchase of commercial-kitchen equipment.
The board of trustees from SD8 submits its list of requests for approval and funding for minor capital projects — through the five-year capital plan — to the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
- The Province is increasing the Annual Facility Grant by an additional $3.1 million for routine repairs throughout the year.
- In order to keep schools safe and functioning, $150.2 million is also available to districts to address maintenance needs, as well as other improvements, such as replacing playground equipment or enhancing traffic safety.
