POWELL RIVER– Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons says students in Powell River will benefit from safer, more efficient schools thanks to $735,000 in provincial funding for school upgrade projects in the Powell River School District.
“Students and families in Powell River can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their schools will receive important improvements as a result of this funding,” said MLA Simons. “We know that safe and comfortable learning environments are integral to the strength of our communities. After years of underfunding, this government is making the health and safety of our students a top priority.”
The Powell River School District (SD 47) is receiving $735,000 in funding for school maintenance projects, including cladding upgrades at James Thomson Elementary, dust collection system upgrades at Brooks Secondary, and mechanical system upgrades at Oceanview Middle School. In addition, the Outdoor Learning Centre will see a solar capacity increase through the Carbon Neutral Capital Program.
These funding programs are part of a $206 million provincial investment under the Annual Facilities Grant, School Enhancement Program, Carbon Neutral Capital Program and Bus Replacement Program, to ensure students have well-maintained learning environments and bus services that are safe, comfortable and efficient. This year’s funding is a $500,000 increase from the previous year, and a $20.6 million increase from 2016/17.
Since September 2017, the New Democrat government has approved over $1.7 million for school upgrades in the district, including $600,000 for a roof replacement at Oceanview Education Centre.
The New Democrat government has delivered historic levels of funding to B.C. schools, including the biggest operative and capital budgets in B.C. history, an extra $1-billion in classroom funding over 2016/17, $2.7-billion over three years to build, seismically upgrade and expand K-12 schools, and a new annual $5-million playground fund.
Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019EDUC0019-000324