By Ashley Legassic

Province announces $34.5 million addition to Valleyview Secondary School

Apr 12, 2019 | 2:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a boost in funding for the school district that parents and advocates have been fighting for.

Education Minister Rob Fleming announced at Valleyview Secondary School today (April 12) that the school will receive $34.5 million for a 525-seat expansion.

“Our government is working hard to give every B.C. student the best learning experience possible,” said Fleming in a news release. “With 20 new, modern classrooms, a new gymnasium, multipurpose space and special education classrooms, Valleyview students will have a more enjoyable and engaging experience at school.”

The multi-million dollar addition is expected to be open to students by September 2022. SD 73 Superintendent Alison Sidow says a very relieved, Kamloops-Thompson School District is contributing $1.75 million to the project.

“I think we had felt like we had perhaps not been heard. I think because we had gone through so many years of declining enrollment, it was really hard to even build the awareness around the issues we’re facing in a growing Kamloops.”

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Valleyview has a capacity for 675 students, but 942 students enrolled for the current school year.

Without the expansion, the school would be operating at 163 per cent in five years, the province says, noting there are nine portables on site.

In the release, the province adds that the addition is the first on Kamloops’s South Shore since the opening of Pacific Way Elementary in 2001.

“SD73 is pleased to be able to begin this much-needed expansion project at Valleyview Secondary,” said Kathleen Karpuk SD73 chair. “This project ensures our students will have the access to the facilities they need to connect with their futures.”

Student capacity will be 1,200 students when the project is complete. It also includes a new pick-up and drop-off area for buses, parking stalls and outdoor play areas.