Argyle Secondary School staff join Minister of Education Mike Bernier and MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour Jane Thornthwaite to announce funding approval to build a brand new Argyle Secondary.
Students at Argyle Secondary school will have a brand new, seismically safe and state-of-the-art school thanks to a partnership between the B.C. government and the North Vancouver School District. Minister of Education Mike Bernier and MLA for North Vancouver-Seymour Jane Thornthwaite announced the $45.7 million investment with school district staff, teachers, students and parents at an event at Argyle Secondary on Tuesday, June 9, 2016.
"By working together, we are able to move this important safety project forward to protect and benefit students, teachers and staff in North Vancouver. The new Argyle Secondary will serve students, families and the community for generations to come" said Minister Bernier.
In May 2012, the Ministry of Education approved a seismic upgrade project for Argyle Secondary School. Since that time, as part of the Land, Learning and Livability community consultation process, the North Vancouver Board of Education has been working with the community, the District of North Vancouver, and the Ministry of Education to change this project from a seismic upgrade renovation to a brand new replacement school for Argyle.
"We are very excited to be able to provide our students, staff and community a brand new secondary school, which will consist of a modern design that will support teaching and learning methods for the future. The North Vancouver Board of Education has worked hard for a long time to bring this project to fruition and we are elated that it upholds our school district's vision for student-centred learning in the 21st century," said Christie Sacré, chairperson, North Vancouver Board of Education.
The Province is contributing $37.6 million toward the project as part of its award-winning Seismic Mitigation Program. The North Vancouver School District is contributing an additional $8.1 million to fund a full school replacement. Above and beyond this amount, the North Vancouver School District is contributing an additional $3.3 million for a 1050 square-meter Neighbourhood Learning Centre component. This aspect of the project will bring the total estimated project cost to $49.1 million and will include amenities that can be utilized by the school and community.
The North Vancouver Board of Education is able to provide $11.4 million towards the replacement of Argyle Secondary because of a lengthy consultation process whereby school district assets were reviewed and surplus assets were sold to be utilized to fund the remainder of the replacement project for Argyle.
"We are very excited to be able to provide our students, staff and community a new secondary school, which will consist of a modern design that will support teaching and learning methods for the future," said Sacré.
The new school will be designed to meet today's standards for safety, accessibility and modern learning. It will encompass green building standards and efficient technology, will involve plans for a new artificial turf field, and will lower overall operations and building life cycle costs. Other exciting aspects of this project include enhanced multi-use performance space, improved gym facilities, integration of technology throughout the school, improved drop-off areas and parking, and environmental enhancements such as outdoor learning spaces, gardens, rainwater drainage and creek enhancements.
Construction is expected to start in 2017, with the new school slated to open in September 2020. It will be built on the existing playing fields. Once construction is complete, the students will move to the new school and the existing buildings will be demolished and turned into new playing fields.
"Argyle Secondary is a stalwart in this community and I know that past, present and future Argylians support this project as it could open new doors for community access that enrich the daily lives and learning of students and community members alike," said Elizabeth Bell, Principal at Argyle Secondary School.
Christie Sacré, Chairperson of the North Vancouver Board of Education, speaks to students, staff and parents at the announcement of the project to build a new Argyle Secondary School.
