 Abbotsford Collegiate gets $45 million to rebuild
Abbotsford Collegiate Secondary School will be getting its $45 million renovation.
Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid arrived in Abbotsford today to formalize the agreement with the board of education to provide one of the community's oldest schools with a substantial face-lift.
Additionally, plans were unveiled to create a community hub by establishing a Neighbourhood Learning Centre in the new school, located in the centre of Abbotsford at 2329 Crescent Way.
The province's vision involves turning all schools into community hubs to make efficient use of public buildings and bring educational and community services under one roof, said MacDiarmid.
The new learning centre will likely have shared common space for community agencies, Fraser Health offices, a computer lab, counselling and seniors’ services, a day care, kitchen and other offices.
There will be public consultation to determine the final uses of the centre.
Construction work is set to begin in late 2010 and expected to be done in 2012.
The project includes the replacement of a number of classrooms and shops, and a new administration area in a three-storey addition connected to the existing building.
New playing fields and a seismic upgrade of the Abbey Arts Centre are also in the works.
The building will be constructed to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards, which would make it one of the first schools in the province to attain that level of sustainable and green design, according to district officials.
The structure will have features that promote water efficiency, energy conservation, and employ recycled, reused or renewable materials.
Design plans could see the use of geo-thermal heating and the capture of water and rainfall for use in the building, which would then be diverted to maintain the school's playing fields.
Abbotsford Collegiate has been designed by the same architectural firm, and have a similar look and feel to its feeder school, Abbotsford Middle School, which opened in 2007.
The middle school was designed by Craven Houston Powers Architects and features extensive use of natural light and ventilation, and organic materials such as polished concrete and wood.
Cindy Schafer, chair of the Abbotsford board of education, said trustees were thrilled with the new project.
"This is great news ... The school will be able to continue to provide a healthy environment for staff, community members and students for years to come," she said.
Abbotsford-South MLA John van Dongen said Abbotsford Collegiate has been a centre for learning in the community for more than 50 years and the new project and learning centre will only continue that tradition.
Attorney General and Abbotsford-West MLA Michael de Jong added that the school will provide great affordable space for community groups to use outside school hours.
Since 2001, the province has provided $103.6 million in project funding to the Abbotsford school district, including an addition to Abbotsford Traditional school, seismic upgrade to William A. Fraser Middle school and the replacement of Abbotsford Middle school. |
