A new school for Minnekhada middle students in Port Coquitlam is the next major capital project on the books for School District 43 as it continues a robust building program to meet stringent seismic safety standards.
Funds have yet to be approved for the project but SD43 has made a successful case for rebuilding the aging school rather than renovating it to meet seismic standards and work is already underway to design the new building.
Tuesday, the Minnekhada project design team presented some early drawings for the new school, which will include a full-sized gym, performing arts space and outside washrooms for the public who use the grass fields, lacrosse box and running oval.
Using a modified repeat design — essentially using designs for schools already built in Abbotsford and Langley — the district hopes to save some money on architectural fees and also avoid some pitfalls and problems from the original design.
"It's being tailor-made for the needs in our community," said Ivano Cecchini, assistant superintendent for facilities and planning.
Noise problems have arisen in new schools with collaborative spaces built to meet changes in teaching and learning styles and with two large open areas in the new Minnekhada, special attention has to be put towards acoustics.
"We are very aware of the need," said Devon Ross, principal of facility initiatives. "That will be one of our highest priorities," she added, noting that the design team plans to meet with acoustic specialists this week.
Some of the ways to reduce noise, she said, will be to install acoustic panels for sound dampening.
Meanwhile, the district continue to make plans to deal with other construction needs. Glen elementary school in Coquitlam, which is bursting at the seams, will get a $2.2 million addition, paid for with school district funds from land sales and Maple Creek middle school will get a $156,000 LED lighting upgrade.
Funds for both projects were approved by trustees.
Other new schools under construction or in the design phase:
• Centennial secondary, $50 million, nearing completion (seismic replacement)
• Moody middle school, $24 million, (seismic replacement)
• Sir Frederick Banting middle school, $22.5 million, (seismic replacement)
• Smiling creek elementary school, $20 million (new school)
