Dover Bay secondary is set to receive $3 million in provincial and SD68 funding to upgrade classrooms and create new spaces for a growing number of students. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

MORE SPACE

New classrooms coming to Dover Bay secondary expected to ease capacity crunch

Jun 9, 2021 | 9:48 AM

NANAIMO — The addition of four new classrooms to a local high school is hoped to have a positive impact with a shortage of spaces.

The province announced $2.6 million in funding on Wednesday, June 9, to renovate existing and underused space at Dover Bay secondary in north Nanaimo.

The work will create four new classrooms, add a learning hub, fitness area and gender-neutral bathroom. SD68 will chip in with $400,000 of their own money to make the project happen.

“Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools is experiencing significant growth, especially in the area around Dover Bay Secondary,” Charlene McKay, SD68 board chair, said in a release. “The district looks forward to working with the Ministry of Education over the coming years to proactively address our anticipated capacity concerns.”

Construction on the new classrooms will begin in September 2021 ahead of a projected opening in March 2022. The project will eliminate four portable classrooms on the property.

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The increase in space, by around 100 students, begins to solve a major problem for SD68 coming on the horizon.

In February 2021, the district’s Long Range Facilities Plan identified a major shortfall of available space compared to projected enrollment by 2030.

Based on current levels, enrollment will surpass capacity by around 26 per cent in the next 10 years, forcing the district to either add, re-open or renovate schools.

The Dover Bay catchment area, encompassing Frank J. Ney, McGirr, Pleasant Valley, Randerson Ridge and Seaview elementary schools, was projected to over-enrolled by 84 per cent come 2030.

Secondary school enrollment across the district is forecast to be 35 per cent above current capacity levels.

SD68’s long range facilities plan shows a significant deficit in available space for students, if expected enrollment levels come to fruition. (SD68)

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