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L>R: Minister of Education George Abbott; Superintendent John Lewis; Principal Aline Burlone; Mayor Darrell Mussatto; Minister of Advanced Education Naomi Yamamoto and Board Chair Franci Stratton on the steps of Ridgeway Elementary |
October 7, 2011
Historic Ridgeway Elementary School officially reopened with Minister of Education
The North Vancouver School District is pleased to announce that after a two-year process of rebuilding and restoration, 100-year-old Ridgeway Elementary school was officially reopened on September 28, 2011.
Considered to be one of the most significant heritage buildings in North Vancouver, the school’s distinguished Edwardian Baroque façade has been fully restored, while the interior and back extension reflect the modern efficiencies required of a LEED Gold building.
Rebuilt at a total cost of $20.7 million—$17 million was provided by the Ministry of Education while an additional $3.7 million was directed from the sale of a parcel of surplus school district land on Lonsdale. This land sale parcel will go further to provide essential funding for the current restoration and rebuilding of Queen Mary Elementary, as well as the construction of the Artists for Kids/Education Services Centre.
“Ridgeway Elementary is truly one of the most beautiful heritage schools in the Province,” says Education Minister George Abbott. “Through this seismic upgrade, rebuilding and restoration, along with the addition of a Neighbourhood Learning Centre, it will serve an even greater role for its community.”
“Ridgeway Elementary honours the central place of education in the history and future of this community,” says Franci Stratton, chair of the North Vancouver Board of Education. “By working together with the Ministry, the City of North Vancouver and the development community we achieved an innovative funding solution to support not only rebuilding a school, but preserving its heritage. As a landmark of learning on the North Shore, history, sustainability and accessibility meet as one in Ridgeway Elementary.”
“Ridgeway is the fifth replacement school project in the North Vancouver School District in less than a decade,” says superintendent John Lewis “It stands as a testament to the rebuilding and renewal that is happening throughout our School District, and the commitment of our province and our community to public education.”
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Maurice (Latash) Nahanee sings the First Nations
blessing for the reopened Ridgeway Elementary |
September 6, 2011
Ridgeway Elementary School Reopens
July 12, 2011
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July 11, 2011: Artisans craft the forms for the
heritage stair balustrades at Ridgeway Elementary. |
Ridgeway Elementary will re-open for students on the official first day of school, September 6th, 2011. Now that the interior of the building is virtually complete, construction activities are now focused on the building exterior and grounds.
February 11, 2011
On Tuesday, February 8th, 2011 the cupola feature of the original Ridgeway Elementary was lifted and installed back into its central position in the school roof. Removed while the roof was rebuilt, the cupola received its own restoration treatment: it was strengthened with a seismic upgrading and weatherproofed by sealing up leaks and cracks. Repainting of the cupola will take place when the rest of the school’s exterior is painted.
Photographs courtesy of Chuck Heath, retired librarian, Ridgeway Elementary.
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View from the back of the school, February 8, 2011 |
January 10, 2011
Ridgeway Elementary architect's fly-by video
November 5, 2010
The restoration and rebuilding project of Ridgeway Elementary continues to proceed on schedule.
Construction of the concrete and steel structure of the heritage building is complete and the construction of the structure for the gym is underway. Interior wall framing, electrical and plumbing installation is all in progress along with exterior wall-in framing and sheathing substrate work. Two components of the project that are nearing completion are the roof framing and decking.
Work continues on the restoration of the heritage windows, the masonry and other architectural elements that exemplify the Edwardian Baroque of the turn-of-the-century architectural design.
May 31, 2010 update: Ridgeway Elementary Heritage Reconstruction
May 31, 2010
These photos, taken in May on the site of the rebuilding of Ridgeway Elementary, indicate just how far the project has come since the summer of 2009. Braces are now in place to support the original façade during the reconstruction of the floors, columns and roof. The standing façade will be retained, and forms the basis of the school’s characteristic Edwardian Baroque style.
For additional support, “shotcrete” (concrete) was spray-applied to the back-side of the building prior to the removal of the interior structure. The existing windows have been removed for restoration, as has the cupola from the roof.
The braces are expected to be in place until early fall of 2010. The project is on track for completion and occupancy in September of 2011.
February 16, 2010
Ministry Announcement: Increased Capacity Approved
In a letter from the Ministry of Education on February 11, 2010 , the Honourable Dr. Margaret MacDiarmid confirmed approval of increased capacity for Carson Graham Secondary and Ridgeway Elementary School. Ridgeway has been approved to a total of 400 elementary spaces, plus four Kindergarten classrooms.
Ridgeway Annex will be closed once the Heritage Restoration project at Ridgeway Elementary School is complete. The increased capacity of the school accommodates the future student population in Ridgeway's catchment area.
Link to letter from the Minister of Education
February 9, 2010
Ridgeway Seismic Upgrade and Heritage Restoration
At the Board's Public Finance and Facilities meeting on January 26, 2010, Ian Abercrombie, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, presented an overview of the Ridgeway Heritage Restoration project.
Click here to see the presentation
The Ridgeway Project is broken into three phases:
Phase 1 is complete. This work included the provision of temporary accommodation at the Cloverley site. The former Cloverley School was upgraded and augmented in capacity with an eight-classroom modular building. Queen Mary School will use the Cloverley facility in conjunction with its seismic upgrade and heritage restoration, slated to start following the completion of Ridgeway, in September 2011.
Phase 2 is underway. Structural upgrades to perimeter walls and underpinning of foundations is being carried out in conjunction with the selective demolition of floors, columns, and interior partitions. Windows are being removed so that they can be refurbished. The ground floor is being lowered to allow for classrooms with adequate headroom. The gym and the “non-heritage” classroom blocks are being removed to make way for the replacement gym. This phase is scheduled to be complete in May 2010.
Phase 3 is the restoration of the heritage shell of the building, the infill of replacement floors and columns, the construction of new space including the gym, and the replacement of the heritage roof. The design of the replacement school has benefited from input from various stakeholder groups including the school administration, teachers, parents, and neighbours. This phase is scheduled to start in May 2010, and be complete in time for students to reoccupy the school in September 2011.
December 14, 2009
Ridgeway Neighbours' Meeting
On Monday, December 14, 2009, a meeting was held to update the status of the capital project to the Ridgeway neighbours most affected by the reconstruction of Ridgeway School. School District Facilities and Planning representatives and the Architect gave updates on the project design and discussed what to expect during the construction period. It also provided neighbours an opportunity to ask questions and provide comments about the project. The following is a summary of the comments:
Building
- Wide support for the building restoration as shown on drawings
- Concern that canopies could promote inappropriate after-hour gatherings
Landscape
- Suggestion to ensure people can’t climb over the walls of the refuge area
- Suggestion to adhere to CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) goal of not blocking sightlines when designing landscapes
- Comments regarding loss of trees that were removed for reasons of disease, but general acceptance need for new replacement trees in boulevard
- Concern about ability to supervise soccer field due to new row of trees shown in drawings between school and field
- Concern about depressed site grade near north entrance from 9th Street (CPTED) Suggestion that non-glare site lighting be used
Traffic and Parking
- Suggestion that parking should be permitted along the curb of the school block
- Concern that mid-block “bump outs” could encourage J-walking
- Suggestion that parents of school children need to be examples of responsible drivers
- Suggestion that parking should be permitted in the school parking lot on Saturday and Sunday for soccer parents
- Support for parents driving in one direction around the block to drop off and pick up kids
Construction Activities
- Mild irritation expressed about construction noise, but there was general understanding that some noise is necessary for the restoration of Ridgeway
- Suggestion to provide public trash cans near playgrounds during construction
- Desire expressed that the School District would continue to keep the neighbourhood involved and informed throughout the process.
For further information or clarification, please contact Ian Abercrombie, Director of Facilities and Planning at: iabercrombie@nvsd44.bc.ca
Ridgeway Heritage Restoration Project - December 2009 |
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Ridgeway Classroom |
Excavated Foundation Wall |
View the Ridgeway Heritage Restoration's architectural drawings and landscape design
October 14, 2009
Through consultation with many stakeholder groups, the construction plan for the rebuilding and restoration of Ridgeway Elementary has now been finalized. Signage featuring information on contractors and the four phases of the project schedule will be raised later in October on the site. We are now ready to begin Phase II of the project: "Heritage facade retention and selective demolition".
Please view the attached PDF for the list of contractors and project phases.
September 3, 2009
Classes for Ridgeway Elementary students will open on September 8th at the former Cloverley Elementary site. Cloverley was prepared over the summer with some interior renovations, site upgrades and the transfer of classroom and office furniture and supplies. Modular classrooms were relocated from Lonsdale to Cloverley to accommodate the increased number of students.
Preparations for the reconstruction and strengthening the heritage structure have been underway since the summer. The building contents have been removed and site work is expected to begin in late September. Ridgeway Elementary will be unoccupied during its restoration and reconstruction, and is scheduled for reopening in September of 2011.
Please consult this traffic plan for Cloverley to review student drop-off directions. For further updates and details on Ridgeway at Cloverley, please visit the Ridgeway Elementary school site.
June 30, 2009
Parents and community members had a preview of Ridgeway's Heritage Restoration at the Open House event on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. There was pride and excitement on seeing the architectural plans and landscape sketches. To view the drawings, click on the image or text, and then magnify + to enlarge.
More information about Ridgeway's Heritage Restoration
June 19, 2009
A Heritage Restoration Capital Project Steering Committee has been established for the Ridgeway Elementary School and Ridgeway Annex community:
Summary Notes - June 15, 2009
Summary Notes - June 8, 2009
Summary Notes - May 25, 2009
Summary Notes - May 4, 2009
Summary Notes - April 27, 2009
Summary Notes - April 6, 2009
Summary Notes - March 30, 2009
Summary Notes - March 23, 2009
More information is also available at Towards the Future For Schools.
March 30, 2009
In accordance with Policy 610: Closure of Schools (Permanent), a Public Consultation meeting was held on March 25, 2009 to review and discuss the possible June 2011 closure and consolidation of Ridgeway Annex with Ridgeway Elementary . If the two schools are consolidated, the capacity of Ridgeway Elementary School could be increased from 350 to 425 students.
The Public Consultation meeting at Ridgeway Annex addressed:
- Rationale for the proposed closure
- Timing of the proposed closure
- Relevant information regarding future community growth in the area.
The following Questions and Answers provide more information about the proposed consolidation and closure of Ridgeway Annex:
Questions and Answers - Public Consultation Meeting - Ridgeway Annex - March 25, 2009
Public Consultation Presentation - March 25, 2009
For more information, please refer to Ridgeway Annex Community Consultation
February 25, 2009
At the Public Board Meeting on February 24, 2009, the North Vancouver Board of Education unanimously approved a motion
- that the Board investigate the closure of Ridgeway Annex School and consolidation with Ridgeway Elementary School, effective June 30, 2011, or the completion of the Ridgeway Elementary Capital Heritage Restoration Project, whichever is later; and
- that the Board, as required by legislation, commence public consultation with the affected communities.
February 16, 2009
Community Meeting on February 5, 2009 - Follow Up Information
A public meeting was held at Ridgeway Elementary School on February 5, 2009 to discuss the Capital Projects for the Heritage Restoration of Ridgeway and Queen Mary Schools. An outline of the next steps in the Ridgeway and Queen Mary Capital Projects is attached to this letter. We have collated the table group responses and have confirmed that there is an overwhelming agreement that students at Ridgeway, and subsequently Queen Mary, should be housed at Cloverley School during the construction. Information from the meeting is included with this message and further updates will be provided as they become available.
Assistant Superintendent Bryn Roberts will attend a portion of the Ridgeway School Parent Advisory Council (PAC) meeting on Monday, February 16, 2009. He will be available to answer preliminary questions and discuss the next steps. Mr. Roberts will also be putting out a call for a representative steering committee to assist us with the transition plan.
The Cloverley School tenants will be contacted at the earliest opportunity by Sandy Shaw, the School District’s Manager of Community and Business Development, to determine their needs and whether we have space available to accommodate them in one or some of our current school buildings.
We will be providing you with regular updates and notice of any community meetings to discuss the projects.
Jane Thornthwaite
Chairperson
Board of Education
February 10, 2009
Community Meetings - Capital Projects - February 5, 2009
Thank you to everyone who came out to learn more and share their thoughts on the recently announced Capital Projects for Ridgeway, Queen Mary and Carson Graham Schools last Thursday evening at Ridgeway and Sutherland Schools. We are grateful to have been awarded $70 million dollars of Ministry funds for the seismic upgrades and replacement schools in addition to our partnership with the City of North Vancouver to assist us with the costs of Heritage Restoration.
Not only do we appreciate the input we received from the students, parents, and staff from the schools named in these projects, we also appreciate the input from Ridgeway Annex, Balmoral, Cloverley and all feeder schools who will be equally affected.
We have taken the feedback from the February 5, 2009 public information / consultation meeting and will devise a plan for moving forward with these projects. Our website will be regularly updated.
These Capital projects are different from our recent new school openings such as Westview, Sutherland, and soon to be Highlands capital projects, because we are not afforded the opportunity to build an entirely new school adjacent to the old school where the students, parents, and staff can still attend. The Ridgeway, Queen Mary, and Carson Graham projects will require that all or some of the students be moved from their school during the duration of the construction. Not only will this disrupt the students currently in these schools, but also the schools and buildings where the students will be moved to.
We will work with any displaced program or service to identify opportunities for accommodation in one or some of our buildings that will have space available. This process is currently underway. However, we believe that if we look at the long term picture of building three new schools, and work together over the transition process, the outcome will be fabulous for our community and the future direction of the School District.
Jane Thornthwaite
Chairperson
Board of Education
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Queen Mary Elementary School |
Ridgeway Elementary School |
February 5, 2009
A public consultation meeting was held at Ridgeway Elementary School to discuss the Ridgeway and Queen Mary HERITAGE RESTORATION Capital Projects. An overview of the project background, timelines, and key questions and answers is posted below.
Ridgeway and Queen Mary Heritage Restoration Capital Projects on February 5, 2009
December 17, 2008
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MLA Katherine Whittred (left) and Board of
Education Chairperson Jane Thornthwaite |
On Wednesday, December 17, 2008 the Ministry of Education announced $70 million in funding for the seismic renovations to Ridgeway Elementary, Queen Mary Elementary and the partial replacement of Carson Graham Secondary. Ridgeway Elementary and Queen Mary Elementary will both undergo exterior restoration and extensive interior reconstruction. The Province will contribute $32.4 million and the North Vancouver Board of Education will contribute nearly $6.6 million to cover the additional costs of heritage restoration at the two schools. Sections of Carson Graham having "high" seismic risk will be replaced by a seismically-sound building at a cost of $38 million.
The announcement was made on behalf of the Ministry by MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale Katherine Whittred in the library of Ridgeway Elementary. Following the announcement, Jane Thornthwaite, chairperson of the North Vancouver Board of Education, gave the following address:
Announcing not one, but three new capital projects of this magnitude is a tremendous advancement for our School District. I would like to thank the new Board of Education for its responsiveness in approving the project plans to allow the School District to bring these projects to the Ministry before the end of the year. As well, the support of the dedicated staff in facilities and planning created professional plans of a very high caliber and we appreciate their good work.
The Ministry of Education’s approval and funding of the Queen Mary, Ridgeway and Carson Graham projects is a strong affirmation of our vision, as a school district, to provide welcoming, safe and sustainable facilities that enhance the learning and teaching environment. We appreciate that the Ministry supports the significance of these projects beyond seismic upgrades to create schools for the 21st century.
Beginning in September of 2009 with Ridgeway Elementary, followed by Carson Graham in 2010 and Queen Mary in 2011, each school should take about two years to complete. At the end of the process, we will have three outstanding new schools, with the front facades of Queen Mary and Ridgeway rebuilt in the heritage style so valued by the city and their neighborhoods. We know we embark on this work with the support of the community, and we are particularly appreciative of the Ridgeway Heritage Society’s dedication to preserving the heritage values of Ridgeway School. We will continue our community consultation process in the New Year to ensure the needs of parents and students are fully considered during the construction phase of each school.
We are truly grateful to the City of North Vancouver, for its fullest support in providing the options and transferrable density we needed to fully fund the restoration components of the Ridgeway and Queen Mary projects. This partnership with the City could potentially serve as a standard throughout the British Columbia of how communities, municipalities and the Province can work together to honour the past while building for the future.
Thank you again, and congratulations to everyone.
Jane Thornthwaite
Chairperson
North Vancouver
Board of Education
Please consult our earlier December update for more information on these projects and the next phase of public consultation.
The full release from the Ministry of Education is presented here.
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City of North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto, Board of Education
Chairperson Jane Thornthwaite and MLA Katherine Whittred
with students on the front steps of Ridgeway Elementary | Ridgeway Elementary School Seismic Upgrade and Restoration of Heritage School Capital Project Agreement between the Minister of Education and the Board of Education of School District No. 44 (North Vancouver)
Queen Mary Elementary School Seismic Upgrade and Restoration of Heritage School Capital Project Agreement between the Minister of Education and the Board of Education of School District No. 44 (North Vancouver)
December 11, 2008
Overview
At their December 9 meeting, the North Vancouver Board of Education approved the capital project bylaws and Master Agreement for Ridgeway and Queen Mary heritage restoration projects and the construction of a Carson Graham Secondary replacement school. Based on these approvals, the agreement will be submitted to the Ministry of Education before the 2008 Christmas break for consideration and approval. While we await the Ministry’s decision on the project plans, we will move forward in the New Year with community consultation to address the temporary relocation process for students during the construction phases of each building.
The progress we have made in the planning of these projects exemplifies the North Vancouver School District’s vision “to provide welcoming, safe and sustainable facilities that enhance the learning and teaching environment.” Replacing Carson Graham Secondary and rebuilding Ridgeway and Queen Mary in their heritage style create greater long-term value for all three buildings and all will meet current standards for seismic resistance.
Potential construction start dates
Two years is the standard timeline required to build a school.
Ridgeway – anticipated construction start: September 2009
Carson Graham – anticipated construction start: September 2010
Queen Mary – anticipated construction start: September 2011.
Questions & Answers
General
Why did the board approve these capital project agreements for Ridgeway, Queen Mary and Carson Graham at this time?
Carson Graham and Queen Mary schools were both identified as high priority for seismic upgrades several years ago. Ridgeway was approved in 2004 as a possible replacement project with similar seismic needs. The Ministry of Education is committed to improving its progress on facilitating and funding seismic upgrades for schools throughout the province.
Significant background research, feasibility studies and long-term planning has gone in to each project proposal. Preparing the Carson Graham plan required extensive meetings and consultation with the Ministry of Education to ensure understanding of the higher long-term value in replacing the school, rather than only performing a seismic upgrade. The heritage qualities of Ridgeway and Queen Mary created cost challenges for the Board. After extensive consultation with community representatives and the City of North Vancouver an innovative approach to source the additional funding required for Ridgeway to extend the project beyond seismic upgrades and secure the heritage values of the building was developed. The knowledge gained through this consultation and planning process has been applied to advance the Queen Mary project.
Ridgeway Elementary
Will students be relocated during the construction phase?
Yes. It will be necessary to relocate all Ridgeway students during the construction phase. Community consultation will continue to address the details of the relocation.
Where will students go?
The site of Cloverley Elementary (440 Hendry Avenue) is the preferred option for the temporary relocation of Ridgeway students. Cloverley is currently leased by a tenant until July 2009. The School District has advised the tenants that the lease location will not be renewed. The School District will also ensure that the tenants are well advised, through a public process, of the space available within the School District at other locations.
What will the School District do to minimize the impact of this temporary relocation?
Our first step is to consult with the community on how to mitigate any potential impacts. Suggestions that have already been brought forward including facilitating walking school buses and providing regular school bus service from Ridgeway to Cloverley.
What’s happening with Ridgeway Annex?
Ridgeway Annex will continue to operate through the reconstruction of Ridgeway Elementary and may provide an additional option for the relocation of some students.
Queen Mary Elementary
Will students be relocated during the construction phase?
Yes. It will be necessary to relocate all Queen Mary students during the construction phase. The target date to begin construction is September 2011, following completion of the Ridgeway School restoration. Cloverley School is proposed as temporary accommodation for Queen Mary students and community consultation on the relocation phase is expected to be initiated early in 2009.
Queen Mary Elementary School
Ridgeway Elementary School May 2, 2007
On Wednesday, May 2, 2007, the North Vancouver School District, with participation from the City of North Vancouver and the Ridgeway Heritage Committee, hosted an information meeting to discuss the options and issues related to the restoration of Ridgeway Elementary School.
The following documents and presentations are available for download:
Report of Public Facilitation and Consultation Process Concerning the Renovation of Ridgeway Elementary School
North Vancouver School District Summary Report
North Vancouver School District Presentation
Ridgeway Project Architect Presentation
Ridgeway Heritage Committee Presentation
City of North Vancouver - Ridgeway Presentation
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