B.C.’s Education minister says every effort will be taken to buffer students and classes from the construction of the big expansion of Valleyview Secondary.

Rob Fleming says the need is so great to deal with Valleyview Secondary, which is 140% of capacity, that everyone involved is willing to put up with some construction.

“Well there is always going to be some of the noise and inconvenience. I talked to four PE teachers here and they said we don’t care. They are looking forward to the new gymnasium and the project getting underway. I think the district they haven’t had very many projects I think this is the second one in a decade. It is really the most major project in terms of scope and money since 2000 when Pacific Way Elementary was approved a long long time ago.”

He says the major expansion was a better choice than building a brand new school.

Fleming says the scope of the $34.5 million expansion will transform Valleyview almost to the point of being a new school anyway.

“I think it was just the best project. The one that had the least amount of dislocation. The one that was the quickest to execute on. When you look at the size of the budget it is like a new school although technically it is an addition. We wanted to make it sized right so you don’t just build to current enrollment you need additional space because Kamloops for the foreseeable future is going to see more students.”

Fleming says his ministry will work with and support the district to ensure the work is done as quickly as possible and the project remains on time and on budget.

The expansion will add 20 new classrooms, a new gym, revamp the sports field, and improve the pick up and drop off area.