Central Okanagan

The Provincial Government announced they are investing more than $28.5 million in school infrastructure in the Central Okanagan in the coming year.

The funds will be used for the new Mar Jok Elementary in West Kelowna and the expansion of Okanagan Mission Secondary in Kelowna.

Photo: Contributed

Okanagan Mission Secondary will soon have 300 new student spaces.

September student enrolment for the Central Okanagan school district has grown in each of the last five years, and district projections show that trend will continue.

"The Central Okanagan is the fifth-largest school district in the province and these projects are an essential support to the students and parents in this rapidly expanding area," says Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson.

The creation of Mar Jok Elementary School will create space for 460 students from kindergarten to Grade 6.

The new school is part of a joint development with the District of West Kelowna and will include a community park, playing field and other Neighbourhood Learning Centre elements.

Okanagan Mission Secondary is also located in an area with a growing school-aged population.

The addition there will provide 300 new student spaces, a Neighbourhood Learning Centre, upgraded drama room and related facilities for community use.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2013 and both projects are expected to be complete by fall 2014.

"We are happy to be moving forward on these projects that will support our growing district. The addition will open up much-needed space at Okanagan Mission Secondary while the new elementary school will ease enrolment pressures at the nearby Hudson Road, Shannon Lake and Rose Valley elementary schools," says Central Okanagan Board of Education Chair Rolli Cacchioni.

Government officials say since 2001, $84.3 million has been invested to complete 13 construction projects in School District 23, including the replacement of Rutland Elementary, additions to Rutland Senior Secondary and Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary, and the new Chute Lake Elementary.

An additional $9.5 million was allocated for additional full-day kindergarten space in the district.