Agreements signed Tuesday (Dec. 18) solidify the work toward a pair of new high schools to be built on the West Shore.

Don McRae, Minister of Education stopped to sign an agreement, alongside Sooke board of education chair Wendy Hobbs, to build two new secondary schools in Langford and Colwood.

B次元官网网址淲e know weB次元官网网址檙e a unique school district because weB次元官网网址檙e growing and progressing,B次元官网网址� Hobbs said. B次元官网网址淭hese two new schools and neighbourhood learning centres will only add to the opportunities for both students and the community as a whole.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭he next time you see us hopefully the shovels will be in the ground,B次元官网网址� she added.

Budgets are $50.8 million for Belmont secondary while Royal Bay in Colwood is slated at $38.6 million. The schools are set to support a wide range of education programs, including opportunities to expand skills and trades training for students. Both schools will also have neighbourhood learning centres to provide various services to communities, such as a family support centre, health and wellness screening office, child-care facility and a multi-purpose room with a community kitchen.

Before signing, McRae addressed the students gathered. He spoke to the Grade 10 students first.

B次元官网网址淚 understand you will be the last class to graduate from this building. That is a great opportunity and a great responsibility. Those who have come before you have done great for Belmont and the area. You have a strong tradition,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淓ven though this school, the venue weB次元官网网址檙e in today, will not be here forever, Belmont will. ItB次元官网网址檚 important that you celebrate the greatness that is Belmont B次元官网网址� be strong athletically, be strong in extracurriculars, be strong in the arts because the school has a great tradition and you will set a legacy for those that follow behind you.B次元官网网址�

Grade 9 students, who could make up the first class of the schools expected to open in fall 2015, were also on hand.

B次元官网网址淎 new school is a great asset in any community. It isnB次元官网网址檛 anything without positive students, teachers, principals, aids and parents. ItB次元官网网址檚 so important that you take the good that is Belmont, and take it to the new school. Because tradition is so strong and the pressure will be on you Grade 9s to make sure the school stays that way.B次元官网网址�

Jocelyn Gauthier, 14, spoke on behalf of the Grade 9 students who could make up the first graduating classes of the new schools.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檇 like to express our excitement at having the possibility of being the first graduating classes in the new schools. In spite of being so new at Belmont, weB次元官网网址檝e become quite fond of the duct tape,B次元官网网址� she said, getting a response of chuckles. B次元官网网址淲e feel honoured to hopefully be the senior classes, to set the tone of the new high schools B次元官网网址� not only will the students attending these schools benefit but also the entire West Shore community.B次元官网网址�

With the project agreements now in place, the school board will invite architectural and construction firms to submit their design-build proposals.