A new secondary school is being constructed in Duncan and will open in 2023.
The construction of a new Cowichan Secondary School in replacement of the old and seismically unsafe building is receiving $79.9 million funding from the provincial government and $2.2 million from the Cowichan Valley School District.
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This new high school campus, expected to be ready in September 2023, will be seismically safe and have capacity for 1,100 students.
“After many years of advocating by our community for a new Cowichan Secondary school, I’m thrilled that a new modern school for our students is finally on the way,” said Sonia Furstenau, MLA for Cowichan Valley, in a statement.
“The school district, Cowichan Tribes, local governments, Vancouver Island University, parents and students created a vision for a school that will benefit families in our community for decades to come.”
Located on the property next to Vancouver Island University’s Cowichan campus, the facility will include a new sports field and neighbourhood learning centre.
The neighbourhood learning centre space will be used to host community programs including childcare.
Students attending the current high school will remain at the original facility until construction of the new building is complete.
Cowichan Secondary School was built in 1950 and was first identified as needing seismic upgrades in 2004.
This existing building will be retained by the school district and used as temporary space for students in the event of future seismic upgrades.
