After 122 years of public service, Lord Strathcona Elementary is getting a $25.6-million seismic upgrade.

Originally constructed in 1891 and located in the city's downtown eastside, Lord Strathcona is one of the oldest continuously operating schools in British Columbia. It is the only elementary school in the area and has legal heritage designation from the City of Vancouver.

Three of the school's five buildings will be upgraded (one building from 1972 building is not considered high risk, and the other built in 1922 will become surplus once the upgrade is complete). During construction, students will be relocated to classes in the two buildings where work is not being undertaken. Once the seismic upgrade is complete, the school will be compliant with current building code performance requirements and provide a safe, low seismic-risk learning environment. 

"We are so happy the upgrade to Strathcona Elementary can now move ahead. I'd like to thank the Ministry of Education for working with the Vancouver school board, VSB staff and the Strathcona School community to make the seismic upgrade and heritage preservation of this school a reality," says Patti Bacchus, Chairperson of the Vancouver School Board.

The structurally upgraded school will accommodate up to 510 students, including 60 kindergarten students and 450 grades 1-7 students, and will include additional space for a Neighbourhood Learning Centre to serve the school and area residents with the Lord Strathcona Community Centre.