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Replacing Nanaimo’s largest school ‘number one seismic priority’

Photo of a metal sign reading NDSS with an image of Vancouver Island in front of a school on a fall day.
Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools has identified the replacement of Nanaimo District Secondary School as a top priority. Photo courtesy of Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools.
Mick Sweetman - CHLY - Nanaimo • BC | 19-02-2021
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Nanaimo District Secondary School is at the end of its useful life and desperately needs to be replaced.

That's according to Nanaimo Ladysmith Public School's a new long-range facility plan. It states the school needs significant maintenance, is a high priority for seismic upgrades and is environmentally unfriendly.

Mark Walsh, the secretary treasurer for the school district says identifying NDSS in the plan is meant to send a message.

The plan notes the ministry has supported new schools in other parts of the Island such as Victoria, Sooke and Cowichan.

The plan also projects some schools could be seriously overcrowded in the next 10 years.
Dover Bay Secondary and Pleasant Valley Elementary are already feeling the strain and are projected to hit over 180 per cent capacity by 2030.

Walsh is recommending developers pay a School Site Acquisition Charge to help fund expansion.

The next step is for the board to discuss the plan with the community.