Following lengthy delays an expanded Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School is now open. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

expanded school

‘Communities like Nanaimo are growing:’ school capacity issues acknowledged by education minister

Sep 11, 2023 | 3:57 PM

NANAIMO — An official opening ceremony at Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School marked the conclusion of a marathon construction process.

With an occupancy permit issued in late June, about two years later than first envisioned, a dozen new classrooms for nearly 300 additional students are in place at the north Nanaimo French Immersion school.

Rachna Singh, B.C.’s minister of education and child care, told the Monday, Sept. 11 event many more announcements for additional student spaces can be expected in Nanaimo in the years ahead.

“I am sure that you will be hearing about many more projects coming here to Nanaimo because we are very cognizant of the fact of how communities like Nanaimo are growing,” Singh said.

The two-storey expansion connected to the old portion of the school includes see-through glass classrooms, a special education room, a large music room, indoor and outdoor accessibility features and significant parking lot enhancements.

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A large music/multi-purpose room appears to be a popular feature at Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Expanding the in-demand Ecole Hammond Bay school allowed five portables to be shipped off-site to be used at other schools.

SD68 school board chair Greg Keller said the significance of the investment in Ecole Hammond Bay school can’t be overstated.

“It signifies our unwavering commitment for supporting opportunities for French Immersion and providing our students with the best possible learning environments,” Keller said.

Musically inclined seventh-grade student Mattias Kulla said the large music room is a great new addition.

“The music room is my favourite, it’s big, spacious and you can play as loud as you want and not hear a thing from the outside,” Kulla said.

Education minister Rachna Singh and Nanaimo-Ladysmith MLA Sheila Malcolmson visit with a grade seven class on Monday, Sept. 11. (Nanamo Ladysmith Public Schools)

Expanding Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary was first approved by the province in 2018, however, the initial vision called for a more modest enhancement of six additional classrooms.

The province, tasked with a majority of the costs, announced it was doubling the scope of the project in 2019.

Construction didn’t get started until February 2021, which was well behind schedule.

The province earlier envisioned the expanded school would open in time for the 2021/22 school year.

Early in 2019 an expanded gymnasium opened at Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School.

Other recent substantial SD 68 capital projects funded by the province include an expansion at Dover Bay Secondary School and seismic enhancements at Cilaire and Pleasant Valley elementary schools.

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes