Funding has been finalized for the Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) component of the yet-to-be-built Westview Elementary School, including early learning space and a wheelchair-accessible gymnasium.
A press release from the ministry of education announced that the gymnasium at the new school to be built at Gordon Park will be completely wheelchair accessible. Washrooms, showers and changing facilities will be equipped for students with disabilities and all entrances to the gym will be wheelchair friendly. Powell River Model Community for People with Disabilities Society and School District 47 worked with the NLC program to make the upgrades happen and to “ensure that all children can play,” reads the release.
“It’s important for all students to be physically active so that they can grow up to be healthy adults,” said Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid in the release.
The gym is also to be secondary school size, which will allow the district to participate in BC school sports for volleyball and basketball, which requires more than one gym. The upgraded gym is a part of the NLC component, which will also include spaces for early learning initiatives such as Success by Six and the ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus. This, plus the gym upgrades, is expected to cost $1.8 million. The school as a whole is expected to cost $13.8 million.
Steve Hopkins, secretary-treasurer for School District 47, said that the plans announced in the release have been in development throughout the planning process and that the real news is the finalization of the price. The proximity of Vancouver Island University and Oceanview Secondary School, which is being considered as a space for trades and alternate programs after grade eight students are moved to Brooks Secondary School, also makes the new school an ideal location for NLC services.
“It’s a good fit in the neighbourhood because then it’s a whole education centre between three facilities,” said Hopkins.
A design for the new school has been picked and the district is currently finalizing the deal with the construction company. Once finalized the design will be revealed at a public open house, which Hopkins estimated will be held in either late February or early March.
