SD58 receives provincial funding for ventilation upgrades

More funding to improve schools through better ventilation, reduced emissions and increased accessibility is going to school districts around the province with annual capital programs that are creating safer, healthier schools and supporting CleanBC initiatives.

“Investments in schools are investments in student success, and we are putting more resources into buses, classrooms and schools so that students can thrive,” said Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Education. “That’s why our government continues to deliver on our commitment to support school districts in upgrading and maintaining their schools to ensure students are learning in safe, healthy environments.”

The Government of B.C. is providing $240.5 million in 2022-23 for school maintenance projects, which includes $48.4 million to upgrade HVAC systems at 90 schools throughout the province. Since the start of the pandemic, the ministry has provided $163.1 million in provincial and federal funding for HVAC upgrades, providing students with healthier places to learn.

The local district is receiving $1.245 million to improve the HVAC systems at Collettville, Diamond Vale, Merritt Central, Merritt Bench, and Nicola Canford.

The funding will also be used for electrical upgrades at Bench under the Carbon Neutral Capital Program.

To further improve energy efficiency at B.C. schools, the Ministry of Education’s Carbon Neutral Capital Fund is providing $23 million this year to support energy and electrical upgrades at 75 schools. This can also include funding for electric vehicle charging stations, allowing more districts to support CleanBC initiatives.