Site purchased for new school in Fernie

FERNIE, B.C. — Funding for school expansion and a site for a new School in Fernie, B.C. have been secured.

The school district has purchased land between Cokato Road and Whitetail Drive on Montane Parkway in south Fernie for a future school site.

“No matter where they live, students deserve schools that will help them succeed in their education and do well in life,” said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of education, in a press release. “Our government has made it a top priority from the start to address urgent enrolment needs for schools throughout the province. We are making forward-thinking investments in our children and the future of fast-growing communities in British Columbia.”

To assist the region as its population grows, the province is chipping in $11.4 million for an 80-seat addition at Isabella Dicken Elementary school and the school site purchase. The Southeast Kootenay School District board will contribute an additional $500,000 toward the expansion project.

Construction on Isabella Dicken Elementary is scheduled to begin in fall 2021, with new classrooms expected to be ready for students by September 2022.

The new, single-storey addition at Isabella Dicken will feature four new kindergarten classrooms, a media technology room, a special education room and a multipurpose room.