Before and after photos a new wheelchair ramp at Colebrook Elementary, one of the many summer projects afforded by the Annual Facility Grant.
School was out for summer, but even without students and
teachers, Surrey and White Rock schools were still busy with more than 150 building
upgrade projects.
Every year, the Ministry of Education provides the district
with an Annual Facility Grant (AFG) to fund various projects at school
facilities. The District Facilities Centre (DFC) identifies, prioritizes and
addresses ongoing building and site needs by replacing and upgrading systems
and infrastructure to extend the life of our schools.
This summer, the district worked on 159 projects totalling
$11.5 million, ranging from mechanical improvements to site servicing to
keeping the energy-efficient lights on.
A total of 30 portables were moved to 25 different district
sites over the summer, in an effort that included five district business
support departments, four consultants, five DFC departments, seven contractors
and roughly 100 personnel. Portables were also upgraded onsite at schools,
including Clayton Heights Secondary, Georges Vanier Elementary and Ocean Cliff
Elementary.
Woodland Park Elementary, Berkshire Park Elementary and
South Meridian Elementary each received roof replacements, while Port Kells Elementary
and Berkshire Elementary got a new coat of paint, with Port Kells also seeing
the installation of a new set of stairs.
Colebrook Elementary started the school year with a new
wheelchair ramp and East Kensington Elementary had some new gardening upgrades
for the EKOLogy program.
Kennedy Trail Elementary received an asphalt upgrade, while
Senator Reid Elementary’s playground was resurfaced and its border improved.
The ventilation systems for Clayton Heights Secondary, Bear
Creek Elementary and Jessie Lee Elementary were also upgraded, and William
Watson Elementary and Hyland Elementary saw boiler upgrades. Jessie Lee and
Newton Elementary also had millwork projects to improve cubby areas for
students.
The halls and gyms of Brookside Elementary, Fraserwood
Elementary and Ocean Cliff Elementary have new LED lights for improved energy
efficiency.
Enver Creek Secondary received a new gym divider wall and the
gym floors at Earl Marriott Secondary, Elgin Park Secondary, Lord Tweedsmuir
Secondary and Semiahmoo Secondary were all recoated.
The improvements were presented to the Surrey Board of
Education at its October public meeting.