More opportunities for students and community groups will come with the construction of a new building at Nanaimo Christian School’s Holland Road site.
James Sijpheer, school principal, said the project represents the second phase of expansion and will see a 26,000-square foot building constructed featuring a double-sized gymnasium, theatre space, band/music rooms, commercial kitchen and six classrooms. It is anticipated to open in September 2018.
With the building’s completion, the school’s sports teams will benefit and physical education, arts and active living courses will be enhanced, according to Sijpheer.
“Right now, we have a small gymnasium where we can’t host any games … all of our practices are held off site and we have no home games so a new gym will give us the opportunity to host home games for our students, better phys ed spaces, longer phys ed periods, all those things that will come with that. We’ll be able to partner with volleyball clubs and basketball clubs and [Vancouver Island University] in rental agreements for the facilities,” Sijpheer said.
The kitchen will be able to accommodate larger functions and events that require catering and the stage will provide a “premier facility” for performances and musical productions, Sijpheer said.
Money is coming through fundraising, partnerships and donations from the community. The school is a third of the way from its fundraising goal of $1 million and the total cost is estimated at $4.5 million.
The first phase of expansion took place nine years ago and consisted of construction of the Nanaimo Christian’s middle/high school building.
reporter@nanaimobulletin.com