Sundance-Bank Elementary School Seismic Upgrade and Expansion
Sundance-Bank Elementary School is in need of a seismic upgrade and expansion based on enrolment increase, facilities conditions, and seismic requirements:
- Enrolment Increase: In 2024-2025, the school is serving 86 students in Kindergarten to Grade 3. To ensure capacity for future students, further grades will be added until the 2026-2027 school year when the school will serve Kindergarten to Grade 5. Enrolment projections have defined the need to increase capacity to 240 students.
- Facilities Conditions: The latest Facility Condition Report stated a Facility Condition Index (FCI) for the Sundance building of 74% (a FCI rating of 30% places the facility in critical condition) and a FCI of over 100% for the Bank Street School building.
- Seismic Requirements: Both buildings are severely outdated with respect to current seismic codes and educational needs, requiring significant investment to be usable. The seismic classification of both buildings in the event of an earthquake is High 1 (H1), or in other words, has the highest risk of widespread structural failure and a Probability of P1 with expectations of total damage, highest life safety consequences, and total collapse.
On August 7, 2024, a drop-in open house was held to gather input from our learning community on three potential options for the site upgrade. Participants were asked to indicate their preferred option as well as their preferred features for a future Neighbourhood Learning Centre. More than 50 community members attended. On the same day, an online survey was launched for those unable to make the in-person session. The survey collected responses until August 31 (extended from August 21). Feedback from both the open house and online survey are summarized in the report linked in ‘Resources’ section below.
Quick Facts:
- The existing Sundance-Bank Elementary School was built in 1967
- The currently closed Bank Street School was built in 1910
Resources:
Media Releases: