Schools in the capital region are among 217 across the province that will share $20 million in funding for improvements.
Education Minister Mike Bernier outlined the details of the funding, which was announced in September, on Wednesday.
Plumbing needs will be the focus of 122 of the projects, including a $200,000 venture at Sidney Elementary School in the Saanich school district.
The Greater Victoria school district is receiving $400,000 to upgrade the fire-alarm system at the Burnside Education Centre, part of an overall district plan estimated at about $2.6 million to refurbish the former Burnside Elementary School and turn it into a site for alternative high-school classes and continuing education.
The plan means relocating programs at the former S.J. Willis Junior High School and turning that building into a site to accommodate a succession of students as their home schools undergo seismic refits.
In the Sooke school district, $300,000 will go to Spencer Middle School to replace the boiler system, while Gulf Islands Secondary School in the Gulf Islands school district will get $362,250 to replace geothermal heat pumps.
Greater Victoria school district superintendent Piet Langstraat said the funds for the Burnside Education Centre are a big boost.
The project is in the preparation stage.
“We’re still scoping that out,” Langstraat said. “We continue to work with engineers etc. to look at the entire cost of that project.”
He said the school board has committed $1.9 million from its capital reserves.
Burnside Elementary School closed in 2006 because of declining enrolment.
Concerns with the building, built in 1912, include seismic issues, Langstraat said. Heritage status “brings with it some additional costs when you’re looking at preserving the historical aspects of that building.”
