Vic High’s two-year reno set for August
A $79.7-million seismic refit and expansion at Victoria High School is set to start as scheduled in August, keeping it in line for an anticipated September 2022 completion.
During construction, students will attend classes at the former S.J. Willis Education Centre, which is being refurbished for their stay and for the future relocation of students during similar projects.
The Ministry of Education said the COVID-19 pandemic has put a focus on “a common-sense approach” to working on projects, and specific guidance has been given to the construction industry to minimize COVID-19 transmission.
“While this may affect the schedule of some construction projects, no school capital projects have been cancelled due to COVID-19, and we are not currently expecting any significant delays in school construction on Vancouver Island,” the ministry said in a statement.
Several extra features at Vic High have been recommended after extensive input from staff, alumni, future school parents and others.
More than 1,700 people weighed in through an online survey, open houses and staff and student events organized by the Greater Victoria School District.
Funding for the features, up to $1.9 million, comes as part of the profit from a land exchange involving the City of Victoria, the Capital Region Housing Corporation and B.C. Housing.
Elements to be added to the school will include:
• An observation deck for astronomy and outdoor instruction, which was the top-ranked choice among current Vic High students, students around the Greater Victoria School District and city residents. It will include railings, seating and landscaping. The estimated cost is $100,000.
• A new fitness-health classroom with exterior overhead garage doors, new equipment, new floors and mirrors. A weight room is also part of the package. The cost estimate is $200,000.
• An upgrade for aging Memorial Stadium, which was one of the top two choices for alumni and staff. Poor condition, poor accessibility and inadequate lighting on the north side of the complex make it a safety hazard. New bleachers, a new fieldhouse and lighting are part of the proposal. Cost will be about $400,000.
The stadium was the first-ever at a B.C. high school, and was built to honour Vic High students killed in the Second World War. It was completed in 1949, followed by the track in 1951.
A new track and a turf field for the stadium were not recommended by district officials because of their high cost and community concerns about environmental impact.
• Improvements to the school theatre were a top priority for all interest groups. Changes could include improved seating, about 100 new seats in the upper balcony, new LED lights and a new audio system, at a cost of about $250,000.
• Gymnasium upgrades costing about $130,000 will include new floors and new bleachers in the Andrews gym.
Important elements of the overall project include more space — up to 1,000 student spaces from 800 — and a neighbourhood learning centre with child-care capacity. Heritage features such as the school facade are being retained.
Vic High dates to 1914 at its Fernwood location, but started in a log building in 1876 on the grounds of what is now Central Middle School. It is the oldest high school west of Winnipeg and north of San Francisco.
Vic High Alumni Association member Ian McKinnon applauded the steps taken to get the community involved in choosing the extra features for the school.
“I think the school district has done a good job in canvassing all the interested groups,” he said. “It even went out to students and parents of some of their feeder schools, because those are the schools that’ll come in and be affected.”
He said the features to be added “are the sort of things that can make a difference in the day-today life of the students and staff at the school.”
McKinnon said the alumni association is a strong supporter of a good athletic program and outdoor activities for students, but recognizes the cost of features such as a new track.
The association has raised $500,000 toward a $7-million stadium project, including $150,000 from members, $100,000 from the Bays United Football Club and the promise of a $250,000 matching grant from the City of Victoria.