MEDIA RELEASE - December 6, 2023
Dawson Creek, BC – The Board of Education of School District No. 59 (Peace River South) received approval from the Ministry of Education and Child Care for a major capital project that supports a five-classroom expansion for Crescent Park Elementary School.
The Ministry has awarded the expansion as part of a pilot project that will see prefabricated additions to accommodate students in classrooms faster. The Ministry of Education and Child Care announced they will be adding 104 new classrooms in eight school districts utilizing sustainable and energy-efficient designs. The Ministry’s investment in Crescent Park Elementary totals $7.5 million.
The Board of Education of School District No. 59 (Peace River South) submitted the expansion request as part of its annual 5-Year Capital Plan. Built in 1961, Crescent Park Elementary School is operating at 163% capacity and has seen steady growth in enrolment which is expected to continue. Based on growth in the neighbourhood from the initial phase of the Crescent View subdivision, enrolment growth is expected to continue well into the future
Crescent Park Elementary School Parent Advisory Council President and Vice President, Kaitlin Sevier and Lisa Meeres stated, “We are thrilled to hear of the expansion to our school! Crescent Park is located in a unique location with being on the edge of a new development area - which means many new families with elementary aged children. We have seen Crescent Park’s student population growing over the years. We are looking forward to being a part of the pilot project and seeing the final results!”
The Board recognizes that School District No. 59 (Peace River South) is the only district awarded in the northern part of the province and is looking forward to partnering with the Ministry on the project, to not only to increase capacity of the school but to also to work together on sustainable and energy efficient designs that are suited to the northern climate.
Superintendent Christy Fennell is encouraged the district was chosen as part of the pilot project, “The announcement about the Crescent Park expansion is quite exciting for the students and staff of the school. It will create new engaging places for learning, with energy efficient designs, and allow all classrooms to be together in one location.”
Student connectedness is important for any school. Crescent Park Elementary School Principal Sheila McGrath is looking forward to receiving more space for learners, “The staff at Crescent Park are very excited about expanding our learning space for our learners. The population of Crescent Park has continued to grow over the past few years and we have outgrown our current needs. We are grateful for the opportunity to be part of the pilot project and have more accessible learning spaces for our families, learners, and staff.”
The project is expected to begin in the 2024-25 school year. The Ministry of Education and Child Care issued a media release on December 5, 2023 outlining the investment and identifying the school districts that were awarded classrooms through this Ministry initiative. The full release can be read here at https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023ECC0102-001905.
Contact Information:
School District No. 59 (Peace River South)
Christy Fennell, Superintendent
(250) 782-8571
Board of Education of School District No. 59 (Peace River South)
Chad Anderson, Board Chair
(250) 719-6419
