Skip to content

More than 1,000 respond to phase one public survey for SD42 Strategic Facilities Plan

Respondents gave input to design of new facilities and expansion of existing ones
28002312_web1_210428-MRN-CF-school-board-budget-Carreras_1
School board chair Korleen Carreras. (The News files)

More than 1,000 people responded to a survey that provided input into the Draft Strategic Facilities Plan released at the end of January by the school district.

Survey responses, from the first phase of the consultation for the Strategic Facilities Plan were included in a document called Facilities of the Future, released during the second phase that will continue until March.

The survey took place between Oct. 28 and Nov. 8 last year that was completed by 1,053 people, most of whom where parents or guardians of a child or children under the age of 19, a SD42 employee, student, or a community member – with about 95 per cent of those residing in either Maple Ridge or Pitt Meadows.

Recommendations about priorities for adding or expanding programs of choice, priorities the school district should consider about the design of new facilities, and considerations that should be taken when upgrading existing facilities were some of the feedback the school district collected.

One question asked respondents to rate six sustainability factors that the district should consider when designing new facilities – providing high quality indoor air was rated most important and energy efficiency came in at number two.

When designing new facilities 327 people made extra suggestions. Some said the district should take into account the accessibility and public transit options to and from the facility and that they should explore adding natural green spaces including the use of roof gardens. Some noted that ecological impacts on local wildlife, trees and waterways should be taken into consideration. Some others noted the importance of responsible waste collection.

When it comes to upgrading existing facilities respondents thought projects that improve the functionality of the building are most important along with projects that enhance the use of outdoor spaces.

Here 246 respondents provided additional suggestions including: projects that enhance year-round use of outdoor spaces and outdoor learning areas and adequate fields and playgrounds. And ensuring there is good air quality, ventilation, climate control and backup generators for power outages. People also noted they would like to see upgrades to make facilities more sustainable including more water run-off and rain water collection systems, solar panels, filtration systems and making good use of natural light.

READ MORE: New Silver Valley school in the plans for the Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows School District

Also when it comes to upgrading existing school facilities, most people rated the improvement of health and safety as the most important consideration along with the overall condition of the facility and seismic risk.

Geographical features was the number one consideration that respondents rated when naming new schools, along with community input. Additional comments recommended a consultation process and that local heritage should also be considered.

Programs of choice that participants would like to see in the future include Computer Science, Environmental Studies, expanding existing trades programs to other schools, Entrepreneurship, and Business.

There were 299 people who provided further feedback with a number of them advocating for a new school in the Silver Valley area and one for a new elementary school in Pitt Meadows. A number of those wanted the school district to prioritize repairs and expansions of existing facilities and playgrounds before building new facilities. They also stressed the need for school and community after school programs including social groups for high school students and childcare and after school sports programming.

ALSO: SD42 seeking approval for expansions of Maple Ridge schools

Recommendations from the survey have been included in the Draft Strategic Facilities Plan, that also included consultations with both the City of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows, local First Nations, Metis community, urban Indigenous organizations, education partners, post-secondary institutions, stakeholders, and people with diverse lived experiences.

SD42 is currently seeking input on the draft plan in a follow-up survey open until Feb. 15.

All feedback will be considered for the new Strategic Facilities Plan that is expected to be adopted in March 2022.

To review the complete Facilities of the Future go to sd42.ca/assets/media/Facilities-of-the-Future-Engagement-Framework-1.pdf.

To read the Draft Strategic Facilities Plan go to sd42.ca/assets/media/DRAFT-STRATEGIC-FACILITIES-PLAN-January-2022.pdf#page=64.

To participate in the survey go to letstalksd42.ca/facilities-of-the-future.


Have a story tip? Email: cflanagan@mapleridgenews.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.


Colleen Flanagan

About the Author: Colleen Flanagan

I got my start with Black Press Media in 2003 as a photojournalist.
Read more