Structural Seismic Upgrade Program
The Ministry of Education engaged engineers and geoscientists to complete a comprehensive re-assessment of seismic safety at more than 500 B.C. schools previously identified for potential funding under the School Seismic Mitigation Program.
Based on the latest scientific research, improved technology and study of recent major earthquakes around the world, the new assessment, released in May 2012, identified 152 schools with at least one “high priority” building section that need to be addressed with structural upgrades under the School Seismic Mitigation Program.
The cost to address these high-priority schools is estimated at $1.3 billion.
In Delta (click here to open the list of facilities and blocks assessed and their ratings), a total of 10 schools met this criteria. Seismic upgrade projects have so far been completed at eight schools (Sands Secondary, Burnsview Secondary, Delview Secondary, Devon Gardens Elementary, Sunshine Hills Elementary, Pinewood Elementary, Port Guichon Elementary and South Delta Secondary), with two projects remaining:
Delta Secondary – $17.6 Million upgrade to the theatre, automotive and woodworking shops, and art/classroom blocks, including remedial work to adjacent blocks’ foundations, partial demolition, renovations and non-structural seismic upgrades to the entire facility.
Supported by the Ministry of Education in April 2013, construction started in April 2015, total completion in June 2017. View the project overview presentation made to school staff in March 2015 here:
DSS Seismic Update March 2015 R1
and view the February 2017 Project Status Update here:
DSS SMP-BEP February 2017 Update
Gibson Elementary – $1.2 Million upgrade to the 1972 classroom and gymnasium blocks, re-submitted as part of the 2018/19 Capital Plan for approval in June 2017. View the Project Identification Report here: