Energy efficiency is the theme as three schools in the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows School District received a combined $846,000 in funding for capital projects.
Westview secondary is planning a $414,000 mechanical upgrade. Forty-six rooftop heat pumps with gas-fired backup heating will be installed. The project will be completed in early summer of 2016.
Albion and Fairview elementary schools will each receive an upgrade to their central boiler plants and domestic hot water systems.
Each project will cost $216,000 and will replace two boilers with new high efficiency boiler pumps, valves, direct digital control panel, and a hot water heater. Work is expected to begin before the end of 2015 and finish by spring 2016.
“This additional funding will help School District No. 42 by upgrading these integral parts of school buildings and extending the life of the facilities,” Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Marc Dalton said.
These projects were approved under the province’s routine capital program. Projects were chosen based on need, priority, and supporting student learning.
Since 2002, the ministry has invested $4.2 billion in new and renovated schools, including $2.2 billion in seismic upgrades. This has resulted in 112 new schools, 186 schools with increased classroom space and 146 seismically upgraded schools.