The future of Amy Woodlands Elementary is still undecided, but preparation work is ongoing, following a fire that closed the school back in July, causing significant damage.
Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma says they’ll know more once assessment work is done.
“When a structural loss like this one occurs there are a lot of important steps that need to be taken, including an assessment of the loss, an adjuster is probably going to be involved,” she said.
“Ongoing site work and preparation are ongoing and our ministry will continue to work closely with the school district’s facility and capital project team.”
Work to stabilize the structural integrity of the school’s gymnasium began in December.
Ma says the ministry is anticipating the replacement of the school.
“We know it is likely we will need to replace it and replace it as quickly as possible,” she said.
“We will be working with the school district to get that underway.”
As far as funding goes, Ma says they may know more once the 2025 budget is finalized.
“Right now the B.C. government is going through our Budget 2025 process. That budget will be released in March,” she said.
“I’m not able to presuppose that budget outcome because that process is underway. Amy Woodlands is a particularly poignant case because the school was lost in a fire.”
Students and teachers have been dispersed to other local schools in the meantime.
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