›› Lisa McPhail
The Greater Victoria School District is planning for seismic upgrades to Vic High School. Opened in 1914, the high school has an H-1 seismic ranking, the highest level of priority need.
The Ministry of Education has supported the seismic upgrades and the school district must submit seismic options to the Ministry for final funding approval. The school district is seeking community input to inform decision-making by the Board of Education.
“Vic High has been an important institution in our community for over 100 years, and it’s essential that we hear from our community before we make decisions about how to best support student learning for the next 100 years,” notes Board Chair Edith Loring-Kuhanga. “The Board of Education will consider all of the input received from stakeholders and community later this Spring.”
There are a number of considerations when planning for upgrades to a high school including educational needs, capacity and student enrolment projections. Other considerations include operating and capital costs, heritage, environment, community values, and community amenities.
A range of options exist, including a full seismic upgrade and modernizing of electrical and mechanical systems, building a new high school, or retaining the exterior facade and rebuilding the interior.
Two open houses will be held in April to provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about the options and provide input about what’s important to them when planning for the future. Further consultation with community stakeholders and an online survey will also occur in April. All input will be presented to the Board of Education before considering options.
Open Houses will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 from 9am–noon in the Vic High gym and on Wednesday, April 18, 2018 from 5-7pm in the Vic High gym.
Once a decision is made, planning will take one year and then construction will occur over two school years. All options will require students to be accommodated at SJ Willis during construction.
