Province to give $10.4M for new Hornby school after 2018 blaze

The province is providing $10.4 million for a new school on Hornby Island, B.C. where a fire in August 2018 severely damaged the existing institution.

The new school will allow for an oversized gym to accommodate people who live on the small Gulf Island, which has a population of about 1,000.

The blazedestroyed a large portion of the school and portable classrooms were brought in to ensurestudents who attend kindergarten to Grade 7 on Hornby Island were kept in classes.

Butthe school providedmore than just classroom space. Italso served as a community centre and recreation space for island residents.

They were worried the community wouldn't be taken into consideration in the plans for a new school.

But Education Minister Rob Fleming says the province worked with the school district to make sure that the new building would accommodate more than just students.

"The priority wasan oversize gym for a school of that size, that will be of use to the community, beyond the classroom bell schedule, into the weekends," said Fleming.

Andrea Kaback, with the parent advisory council said she's relieved.

"It was critical to our community, for our mental and physical health and wellbeing that that gym be put back into place."

Kaback said there are still questions about design, and she'll fight for the community to have itssay into what exactly the new space looks like.

Construction is expected to start in fall 2020, with the new school slated to open in the fall of 2022.