The new Gibsons Elementary School build has met some delays since it began last May, but School District No. 46 (SD46) still plans to have the school open for kids to come back to class next week.
Secretary treasurer Nicholas Weswick said SD46 plans to open the school in phases with the classrooms opened first for the approximately 300 students set to return.
He said the building is “basically in two halves” with the classrooms on one side and things like the gym and day care area on the other.
The classroom side was expected to be opened in time for school to start during the week of Sept. 22 as Coast Reporter went to press this week.
“Then over the next few weeks we’ll be working on full occupancy,” Weswick said, noting contractors will have to do “some more interior and exterior work” before the build is complete.
Weswick said the construction delays were related to weather, soil conditions and logistical issues, but stressed the delays weren’t costing SD46 any more than originally budgeted.
Demolition of the old school building has begun and it will continue into the fall, Weswick said, adding landscaping and paving work will also take place at that time.
“It will be going on while school’s in session, but we’ll do whatever we can to minimize disruption to classes,” Weswick said.
“Obviously the project has been delayed, but our hope all along has been that for school start-up in 2014 that students would be ready to be accepted into that school, and that’s still on target.”
The teachers’ strike helped make the return to school possible for Gibsons elementary students. Originally students enrolled in Gibsons Elementary were going to travel to YMCA Camp Elphinstone for class until the school could be opened.
“It’s the one silver lining,” Weswick said.
