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Seismically safer Pleasant Valley Elementary School helps provide ‘peace of mind’

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools shows off upgrades at north-end school
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Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools shows off seismic upgrade work at Pleasant Valley Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 6. Present were Adam Walker, Parksville-Qualicum MLA, left; Tom Rokeby, trustee; Greg Keller, school board chairperson; Coun. Lawrence Mitchell, Snaw-Naw-As First Nation; Pete Sabo, SD68 director of planning and operations; and Chantelle Morvay, trustee. (Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools photo)

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools showed off upgrades intended to mitigate earthquake risk at a north-end elementary school.

Members of Snaw-Naw-As and Snuneymuxw First Nations, the provincial government and the school board were at Pleasant Valley Elementary School on Tuesday, Dec. 6, to tour the school and see the seismic work first-hand.

The province invested close to $8 million in the project, noted an SD68 press release. The money was used to make the building safter for pupils, noted the press release, and install new flooring, a heating-ventilation-air conditioning system in the gym, and more. Flooring from the former Franklyn Street gym was repurposed as part of the project.

Part of the money was used to renovate Rutherford Elementary School in order for displaced students to attend school while construction took place at Pleasant Valley, a move which also sped up the process, the press release said.

Greg Keller, school board chairperson, said in the press release that the district is grateful for the government investment.

“The seismic upgrade of Pleasant Valley is one of many either recently completed or ongoing projects across the district,” he said. “We look forward to continuing this partnership in creating safe spaces for both our students and staff as there are many more important capital projects we will need to address in the coming years.”

Adam Walker, Parksville-Qualicum MLA, said students at Pleasant Valley Elementary are now learning in a seismically safer school.”

“I know how important it is for parents to have peace of mind that their kids will be safe at school,” he said.

The project was completed on time and on budget, noted the press release.

RELATED: SD68 shows off newly upgraded Cilaire Elementary



karl.yu@nanaimobulletin.com

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