Last updated: Dec 6, 2024
The information on this page is intended to provide parents and guardians of Henry Hudson students with the latest information on the status of the seismic upgrade construction project (ie the new school and school grounds). While the PAC will endeavour to keep this information up to date based PAC meetings, and ongoing status updates from the Henry Hudson administration team and the VSB, it is possible that some of this information may be out of date. If any parent, guardian, teacher or other member of the school community has additional updates to provide on the below information, please don’t hesitate to share with the PAC Executive Committee by sending an email to hudsonpac@gmail.com.
Construction Progress
The Henry Hudson seismic upgrade project was initially planned as a three phase project.
- Phase 1 – construction of the new main school building.
- Phase 2 – demolition of the old school building (incl. gym and portable) and construction of the new school grounds (including playground, sports field and parking lot).
- Phase 3 – construction of the school building extension for additional class spaces. This phase was expected to take place several years after completion of phase 1 and 2, once additional funding was confirmed by the BC Ministry of Education.
In spring 2024, the BC Ministry of Education announced incremental funding for the completion of the building extension (phase 3). Due to the addition of the new building extension in current construction plans for 2024/2025, phases 2 and 3 have now been merged. This has been welcome news for the VSB and Henry Hudson community, however the condensed construction schedule has also impacted the initially anticipated plans for outdoor play space for students this school year.
The planned completion for the newly combined phase 2 and 3 (school extension and grounds) is summer 2025. Until that time, outdoor play space for the students is limited and does not include a playground. The VSB and Henry Hudson team are working hard to limit the impact of this change in plans on students for the 2024/2025 school year. Here are some of the mitigations put in place to ensure students have a safe and fun school year.
- Temporary fencing on the corner of Maple and Cornwall (entry plaza)
- Staggered lunch time recess for different grades to reduce number of kids outside at one time
- Additional supervision during recess time
- Use of gym and multipurpose room for additional recess space
- Lunchtime recess programs in multipurpose room
- Extended crossing time for north-south lights at Maple and Cornwall
Status & Recent Updates
Current School Grounds (phase 1)
- “Muddy zone” (southwest outdoor space): Henry Hudson received approval from the City to modify a portion of the surface from grass to asphalt. This will provide a surface that is more resilient and accessible for student play. The contractor is able to take advantage of available staff and pre-winter weather, and has begun site prep in this.
- The work is anticipated to take up to two weeks and will require the site to be fully prepped with a gravel base.
- The final step is to pour the asphalt which requires a work window of 2 days with warmer temperatures.
- During the periods of work, a portion of the southwest corner will be fenced off so that the work can be done, with the contractor accessing the site from the street.
- The gravel base will be laid in a manner that allows for students to play on it for as long as needed until the asphalt is able to be poured.
- Prior to the application of asphalt, the gravel area will be similar to a small gravel field.
- During this two-week period, students will not be able to play in this area; the school will make use of the gym and multi-purpose rooms spaces during recess/lunch as needed.
- Access to the south entry gate will be maintained, as will a portion of the south pathway adjacent to the fencing.
- In addition, as access to this area is required by the contractor from Maple Street, a portion of the pick-up and drop-off area will not be available to the south
- Families who are driving are encouraged to stop or park on other nearby streets during this time.
- Fencing in northwest plaza: The orange, water filled ballasts with higher fencing has been setup temporarily for the duration of the school year. This fencing provides a safe play space until the full grounds are complete as part of phase 2. The final construction will remove the ballasts which will be replaced with large, decorative safety boulders around the periphery of the plaza.
- Street parking & drop off: York St remains dedicated to parking space for the construction companies. The drop off zone is on the east side of Maple. Parents are asked to respect the recent addition of the portion of the drop off zone dedicated to those with accessibility needs (north end of drop off zone).
- Maple & Cornwall crossing light: The Henry Hudson and VSB team made a request to the city this summer to extend the duration of the north/south crossing light duration to accommodate the increase in pedestrian traffic, including children. The city did increase the duration of the crossing light at the time. The school has requested an additional increase in time to accommodate crossing time required by classes going on field trips. The city is reviewing the options and will advise in the near future.
Demolition
- Main school building: Interior hazardous materials removal work complete – exterior hazardous materials removal has started (visible scaffolding)
- Portable: Interior and exterior hazardous materials removal work – roof has been removed. Final demolition to being late November
- Gym: Interior and exterior hazardous materials removal work – starting demolition next week
School Building Extension
- The concrete foundation for the extension of the school building is currently being poured.