The Ministry of Education and the Sooke School District (SD62) have signed a project agreement that will see Dunsmuir middle school receive $10.2 million in seismic upgrades.

The work will involve reinforcing masonry walls, constructing new concrete shear walls and foundations and upgrading roof components.

These improvements will add to previous upgrades done to strengthen the gym and shop areas, as well as the sprinkler system. Access to the school off Benhomer Drive will also be widened and extended.

The project is being funded with $9.4 million from the provinceB次元官网网址檚 Seismic Mitigation Program and $800,000 from SD62.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e always thrilled to receive funding,B次元官网网址� district board chair Wendy Hobbs said, B次元官网网址渆specially when it comes to providing safer spaces for our staff and students.B次元官网网址�

While the district will attempt to keep disruptions to a minimum, she added, the students and staff will be using a system of portables and modular units in the schoolB次元官网网址檚 playing field for much of next school year.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 going to be a really interesting year for our staff and students,B次元官网网址� Hobbs said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not an ideal situation (learning in temporary facilities), but itB次元官网网址檚 what needs to be done short-term to create a place thatB次元官网网址檚 safe for everyone long-term, so weB次元官网网址檒l make the best of it. I canB次元官网网址檛 wait to see how it all turns out.B次元官网网址�

The work, due to start soon after school lets out, is scheduled to be done by December, 2016.

mdavies@goldstreamgazette.com