Construction is proceeding on schedule at the site of the new Gibsons Elementary School, which should be open to welcome students in September.
"Finishing touches are being made to the all-weather playing surface, and the walking path around the perimeter is currently being expanded and resurfaced," said Nicholas Weswick, secretary treasurer with School District No. 46 (SD46). "The steel reinforcing structure and 'glu-lam' beams are in place and framing of the second storey has begun."
Rainy and snowy weather has delayed the finishing of the new school field, but Weswick said SD46 hopes the field will "be available for children to play on very soon."
The playground will be completed towards the end of the project and although builders are optimistic they will finish ahead of schedule, Weswick cautioned that "construction projects of this size always have unexpected developments."
Building of the new Gibsons Elementary School started on May 3, 2013 with a groundbreaking ceremony on the lower field.
The ceremony marked the end of a multi-year effort to secure $14.3 million from the Ministry of Education to build the new school.
The current Gibsons Elementary School building was built in 1950 and a study done in 2007 showed a new school was needed.
The new school will be two storeys high, accommodate 340 students and include a Neighbourhood of Learning component, which boasts a large childcare facility, community kitchen and community garden.
Find out more at www.sd46.bc.ca.
