Today, Minister of Education Mike Bernier announced $33.3 million of funding for School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) to seismically replace Minnekhada Middle School in Port Coquitlam.
Minister Bernier made the announcement at the site of the current school alongside the SD43 Board of Education Chair Kerri Palmer Isaak, SD43 Superintendent Patricia Gartland, Principal Susan Ross, Minnekhada grade 8 student MacKenzie Frizzell, and other dignitaries, students and guests.
“The Board of Education of School District No. 43 (Coquitlam) is very pleased to receive this funding to replace Minnekhada Middle School,” said Palmer Isaak. “Providing exceptional facilities is important to us and we appreciate the support of this government in recognizing the need for replacing and upgrading older schools in our school district.”
The Minnekhada replacement school will be a new 600 student capacity building, the same capacity as the existing school, and will include many features that support the Middle School Philosophy and best practice educational research such as an abundance of natural light, large project and collaboration spaces, and movable walls between classrooms for team and interdisciplinary learning.
“We are very pleased that the students, teachers and staff will have a new innovative facility in which to learn and work,” added Patricia Gartland, School District Superintendent. “I wish to thank our district staff for their outstanding work over a long period in achieving this result.”
Students will benefit from this exceptional facility which will include a variety of classroom spaces as well as exploration spaces for information technology, fine and performing arts, home arts, and technical education.
The two-storey school also features Neighbourhood Learning Centre spaces including a gym that contains a full-size basketball court and a stage connecting to the multi-purpose room. Several green features have also been incorporated into the design including energy efficient lighting and mechanical systems, water efficient plumbing fixtures, and water efficient landscaping. Work is expected to begin in the Fall of 2017.
Click here to read the BC Government announcement.
The Honourable Minister of Education Mike Bernier, joined by Coquitlam MLA Linda Reimer, SD43 Board Chair Kerri Palmer Isaak, SD43 Superintendent Patricia Gartland, Minnekhada Middle Principal Susan Ross and Minnekhada Middle student MacKenzie Frizzell along with other students, announces Minnekhada Middle School seismic replacement on February 8, 2017.
Minnekhada Middle students join SD43 Trustees Barb Hobson Chuck Denison, Michael Thomas, Carol Cahoon (Board Vice-Chair), Kerri Palmer Isaak (Board Chair), SD43 Superintendent Patricia Gartland, BC Minister of Education The Honourable Mike Bernier, Coquitlam MLA Linda Reimer, Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth, Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore, and Minnekhada Middle School Principal Susan Ross at the announcement of Minnekhada Middle School's funding for seismic replacement on February 8, 2017.
From L to R: SD43 Assistant-Secretary Treasurer of Facilities Ivano Cecchini, SD43 Acting Secretary Treasurer Chris Nicolls, SD43 Trustee Chuck Denison, Coquitlam MLA Linda Reimer, SD43 Trustee Barb Hobson, SD43 Superintendent Patricia Gartland, SD43 Board Chair Kerri Palmer Isaak, SD43 Trustee Michael Thomas, SD43 Board Vice-Chair Carol Cahoon, SD43 Assistant Superintendent Gerald Shong, SD43 Principal of Facilities Initiatives Devon Ross, Port Coquitlam MLA Mike Farnworth, and BC Minister of Education The Honourable Mike Bernier.