Local firm to design school

School District 22 says Vernon-based MQN Architecture & Interior Design has been selected to design a planned expansion of BX Elementary School.

Last month, Education Minister Rob Fleming announced $11.1 million in provincial funding to build a 240-seat expansion at the elementary.

“School District 22 has always believed in providing the best educational experience for all of our students,” stated a press release issued by the Vernon school district. “MQN will work closely with BX Elementary and district staff to design and build an expansion to the school that is architecturally innovative in design.”

Currently, BX Elementary has capacity for about 300 students and is operating at 147 percent capacity with five portables on site.

When the new classrooms are open, the school is expected to operate at 85 percent capacity, according to government figures.

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At the time of the provincial funding announcement, the head of the BX Parent Advisory Council, Amanda Connor, expressed delight at the news.

“We have a tight-knit school community that is inclusive of all students, teachers and staff, and it will be great for all of our students to be under one roof, passing each other in the halls” Connor said at the time.

This project will be the first school expansion to be completed in the Vernon School District since 2003-04.

Construction is expected to begin on the new addition in Spring 2020 and students will be able to remain in the school while work is underway.

The project is expected to be completed during the 2020-2021 school year.