SCHOOL’S IN SESSION by Carly Peters
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When the bell rings at Penticton Secondary School (PSS) at the beginning of the 2008 school year, it will be echoing down the pristine halls of a brand new building. The old PSS, the largest school in the area, is currently undergoing deconstruction to make way for the new building. According to John Hickling, director of maintenance for School District No. 67 (Okanagan Skaha), the community has had mixed feelings over of the deconstruction
best possible design for the new school,” he explains. The old school contained very poor ventilation, no air conditioning and major electrical problems that interfered with power supply. Plus, the sheer size of the school, which was 17,000 square meters including 17 additions that spanned numerous decades of construction styles and materials, was difficult for stu-
2003; over the course of three years, the school district worked with consultants, architects and the community to develop a plan for PSS. After reviewing 15 different options, the district decided on a design that linked a new building with the Ellis building, one of the existing brick structures, via glass walkways over a central courtyard. The Shatford building, another
of the school since some of the original structures date back to 1911. “Many deem parts of the school to be heritage buildings. A lot of people in the community have strong sentimental ties to aspects of the old campus, and the district is working with the community to develop the
dents. According to Hickling, in some cases it took seven minutes to walk across campus from one class to another. “We looked at all the costs of upgrading the school verses completely replacing it, and found that it was a better deal to rebuild,” he says. The project was initially approved in
cherished campus brick structure will also remain, but stand as a separate entity from the school. In total, the size of the campus will be smaller at 13,000 square meters, but will in fact be able to house more students, totalling 1,350. The first phase of construction, already in progress and set for completion in June 2008, focuses on the construction of the new building and is being handled by
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School Plant Officials Association of B.C. Fall 2007
