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Allan Van Tassel

Chilliwack School District

Clockwise: Allan’s son Liam, Allan, son Ethan, and wife Lisa.

It was the lure of warmer weather that brought Allan Van Tassel and his family from their home in Peace River, British Columbia to the sweeping valleys of Chilliwack. Although he, his wife, and two teenaged sons are avid downhill skiers, they sought the opportunity to take part in more year-round activities. Leaving his position as the director of operations at Peace River South School District (SD#59) also gave him the opportunity to take on some new challenges.

As the director of facilities and transportation at the Chilliwack School District (SD #33), Van Tassel oversees custodial, transportation, and facilities for 34 schools with approximately 15,000 students. The district’s fleet of 54 buses transports 4,000 students twice a day.

Van Tassel says that when he arrived at the Chilliwack School District in 2016, the town’s population was increasing at such a pace that enrollment was seeing 300 – 400 new students per year. To accommodate this persistent influx of students, his district currently has over 100 portables at the various schools.

“We decided to make it our goal to reduce the number of portables in use and increase the number of buildings,” says Van Tassel. “This is a very engaged and hardworking group, so I knew it would be possible.”

In the past four years, the Chilliwack School District has received over $100 million in capital funding to upgrade current schools and to build two new facilities. The rate of progress in this district is something that Van Tassel says his team worked very hard for and is pleased with the results taking space.

GW Graham Secondary School is receiving a $23.9-million addition which will add capacity for an additional 450 students. The upgrade includes 20 new classrooms, a trades sampler, a computer design and robotics lab, and a covered outdoor space with audio video equipment for all classes to use. Construction is expected to be complete and ready for students by September 2022.

Construction is already underway on the upgrades to Vedder Elementary School. The $11.8-million, twostorey addition, which includes 10 new classrooms and a maker space, will allow an additional 240 students into the updated learning environment by September 2022.

Enjoying the outdoors with sons Ethan and Liam.

Van Tassel says that when schools become overpopulated, it puts a lot of pressure on the gyms. “When we’re planning our elementary additions, we are always trying to add multipurpose spaces so that the students can utilize other activity environments and not just the gym.”

A new K-8 school, Stitó:s Lá:lém Totí:lt, is currently under construction on a pristine site located along the banks of the Vedder River. The $48.6-million project will house 930 students and is set to open September of 2022.

The most unique school under construction is the secondary arts and technology school known as Imagine High. The new $15.4-million, 600-seat school is the former University of the Fraser Valley North campus which the school district purchased and began updating. The facility had a commercial kitchen and a large theatre, and by adding a gym and a dance studio, the school district plans to offer full culinary, theatre, and dance programs and is set to welcome students in September 2021.

“Because of its location, it is a school of choice for students living in our district to attend,” says Van Tassel. “So we took this risk, and there are nearly 300 students already registered for the first year. It’s a very cool concept and it’s generating lots of excitement in the community.”

Van Tassel says his construction background has helped to make this process a gratifying one. “It is very enjoyable work, and with our team of operation managers, we’ve been able to work with the principals and staff and ensure everyone is involved. That’s something I’ve really enjoyed.”

During his free time, Van Tassel and his family take advantage of the outdoors at their doorstep and in their backyard, “Chilliwack is a beautiful area for hiking, kayaking, and fishing,” he says “Ten minutes in any direction, and you’re either at a lake or a mountain.” With his oldest son studying engineering in university and his youngest son in grade 11, that makes for a busy home schedule.

In terms of future projects, Van Tassel says that the district is hoping that the Ministry of Education will make an announcement approving plans for of another new elementary school and an addition to one of the high schools in the district.

“This has been a big approach for the district to create new spaces, new school traditions, and reduce the amount of portables,” says Van Tassel. “We have received very good support from the Ministry of Education, and our team is a very engaged group of people who are dedicated to creating exceptional learning environments for students and staff. It’s really what’s made these projects successful.” n