Two years ago, Southern Okanagan Secondary was undergoing a $29 million renovation when a fire destroyed more than half of the building. After extensive re-building, the school officially re-opened on February 6.
The 80,460-square-foot facility, which was built in compliance with the B.C. Wood First Act, is designed to meet LEED Gold standards.
It features:
- Large wood beams
- A state-of-the-art skylight
- A neighbourhood learning centre, which includes a daycare, community counselling centre, community performance space and adult learning centre
- An auditorium named after B.C. community steward Frank Venables
“Students and staff are excited to have a new school, which will serve the community for generations,” says Marieze Tarr, school district 53 board chair. “This is a beautiful learning environment that highlights the use of B.C. wood and natural light.”
Located in Oliver, B.C., the facility is capable of accommodating up to 550 students from grades 8–12.
