The New Westminster school district is handing in a $6.6-million wish list to the B.C. Ministry of Education.
The school board’s operations committee has approved the district’s minor capital project requests for the year, encompassing $3.66 million under school enhancement, $2.5 million for carbon-neutral projects and $495,000 for playgrounds.
The funding would apply to the 2022/23 school year.
Here’s how those requests break down:
SCHOOL ENHANCEMENT
Top priority:
Lord Tweedsmuir Elementary School: exterior work, $1.7 million
This funding would cover the second phase of work that started this past summer, replacing all windows and siding following on a seismic upgrade that was completed in 2019.
Secretary-treasurer Bettina Ketcham said the district has a “high level of confidence” that the project will receive ministry funding.
“Lord Tweedsmuir will effectively be a brand-new school,” she said.
Other requested projects:
- Queensborough Middle School: roof replacement, $530,000
- Queen Elizabeth Elementary School: air handling unit replacement, $480,000
- Herbert Spencer Elementary School: HVAC work (radiant panels to replace existing duct reheat coils, making the system more efficient), $450,000
- Glenbrook Middle School: HVAC work (radiant panels to replace existing duct reheat coils, making the system more efficient), $500,000
CARBON-NEUTRAL CAPITAL
The district is looking for funding to install air source heat pumps at five sites, at a cost of $500,000 apiece. The heat pumps rely on electricity rather than gas and would reduce the district’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The school sites, in priority order, are Glenbrook Middle, Queen Elizabeth Elementary, Herbert Spencer Elementary, F.W. Howay Elementary and Lord Kelvin Elementary.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
The province provides money to replace existing playgrounds that are old and in need of a refresh. Each approved playground is universally accessible and receives $165,000 in funding.
Topping the district’s request list is Skwo:wech Elementary School, where the district hopes to be able to install a new playground after construction of the new school is completed.
It’s also asking for funding for new playgrounds for Lord Tweedsmuir and Lord Kelvin elementary schools.
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
Email Julie, [email protected].
