$4.2-million multipurpose complex under construction on the Charlottes

There has been a bit of a capital expenditure boom happening on the Queen Charlottes of late, with the latest project just under way.

Last week the Village of Port Clements and Haida Gwaii School District broke ground on a new 4.2 million dollar facility which will combine the community's school, village office and community centre in one complex.

It's just the latest in projects on the Islands that have been making news of late, two other high profile projects are set to improve life on the Islands, with the $11.8-million replacement of Queen Charlotte Secondary and $4.6 million in capital funding for maintenance projects high on the list of things underway.

The Daily News detailed the projects and how they were funded in Friday's paper.

Islanders celebrate $4.2m centre
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, October 19, 2007

Pages One and Ten

On Sunday, the Village of Port Clements and Haida Gwaii School District broke ground on a new facility that will bring together the community's school, village office and community centre.

Standing before citizens of all ages, Wayne Wilson, school board trustee chair, and Cory Delves, the mayor of Port Clements, officially dug in to the site of the $4.2-million multipurpose complex that will both ensure the future of the 50-student school and provide significant energy savings for the taxpayers.

"It's great to see school districts and communities working together to find innovative solutions that address their common needs," said Education Minister Shirley Bond, who sent a letter of congratulations to be read at the ceremony. "I was very pleased with the school when I saw the design during my visit to Port Clements."

The new school and community centre will include instructional and support space for 50 elementary school students, a community kitchen, a community library, a daycare, an exercise room, a multi-purpose room, a seniors' meeting room, a teen room, village office and council chambers.

The existing elementary school gymnasium will be renovated to complement the new centre. The new multipurpose complex should be ready for use in the summer of 2008.

It is considered an innovative project, and perhaps the first time a community has brought together municipal and school services to save money and energy.

With just over 50 students, the community had been concerned about the future viability of its school. The old school needed considerable renovation, including seismic and mechanical upgrading.

However, the joint project ensures the students will have a place to learn.

"A school should be the heart of its community, and with this new multipurpose community centre we're going to make that happen," said school board chair Wayne Wilson. "We appreciate the province's willingness to consider and support such an innovative project."

The province, in partnership with the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte board of education and the Village of Port Clements, is investing $900,000 in the multi-purpose community centre to replace Port Clements elementary. The board will supply a further $200,000. The Canada-BC Infrastructure program, Gwaii Trust, and local fundraising will provide further funds. In addition, this project is eligible for up to $165,000 from the School Community Connections program.

"Community Connections rewards school districts and communities that work together to take full advantage of the resources they have," said Bond. "At the same time, places like Port Clements are discovering that the real reward of this kind of co-operation and creativity is seeing their community thrive."

Other recent Ministry-of-Education-supported school capital and maintenance projects in the Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte school district include the $11.8-million replacement of Queen Charlotte Secondary and $4.6 million in capital funding for maintenance projects.