Lord Tennyson Seismic Upgrade Updates
Visit the New School Page to see a rendering of the finished school.
The updates below contain all the information we have to share about the project.
The updates below contain all the information we have to share about the project.
Update: May 4, 2022 (from Bruce Sallee to all parents)
- Light standards in parking lot are installed and wired
- Blacktop is being laid for the pathways around the field
- The long jump approach is ready for blacktop and the pit is filled with sand
- Topsoil has been added to the bio-swale and the trees have been planted
- Bio-swale is being prepared for other plantings
- The area between the school and the long jump pit is approaching completion
- Boxes for tree plantings prepared
- Surface preparation for blacktop applications
- New lower fencing is going up on the 11th Ave. side from the parking lot to Cypress St.
- We are having a site visit with VSB grounds next to go over the Garden Plan to keep that moving
- Lots of activity on the grounds last week and this week (workers and equipment). Things are moving quickly.
Update: March 31, 2022 (from Mike McEwan to all parents)
I am writing to inform you that there will be an increased presence of both By-law Officers and VPD around the school and neighborhood.
For your safety and the safety of our students, please be mindful of posted traffic signage and traffic patterns, including one-way streets. The increased enforcement in the area is in an effort to improve traffic safety.
I am writing to inform you that there will be an increased presence of both By-law Officers and VPD around the school and neighborhood.
For your safety and the safety of our students, please be mindful of posted traffic signage and traffic patterns, including one-way streets. The increased enforcement in the area is in an effort to improve traffic safety.
Update: March 29, 2022 (from Mike McEwan to all parents)
I am writing to the community to bring further attention to the sidewalk closure on 11th Avenue on the school side. This sidewalk was closed yesterday and for half of the day today. We can expect to have it closed off from time to time over the next few weeks to accommodate the completion of the cement and blacktop work that need to be done. When possible, construction personal will reopen the sidewalk and provide ramps where needed.
When the sidewalk needs to be closed for work to proceed it does create a potential safety issue. When a sidewalk closure is required, I will put additional signage at the southeast end of the sidewalk to encourage students and parents to cross at the corner of 11th Ave. and Cypress and to continue down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the school and cross at the corner of 11th Ave and Maple to access the school grounds. As 11th Ave. is narrow, and there is considerable traffic at drop off and pick-up times in addition to the construction vehicles, I would discourage anyone from crossing other than at the corners.
If driving, please avoid dropping off your child on 11th Ave on the east side adjacent to the sidewalk closure as this could put your child in peril. Additionally, If I could ask anyone driving to take extra care on 11th Ave. and around the school as this has added to an already congested area.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to keep our children safe.
I am writing to the community to bring further attention to the sidewalk closure on 11th Avenue on the school side. This sidewalk was closed yesterday and for half of the day today. We can expect to have it closed off from time to time over the next few weeks to accommodate the completion of the cement and blacktop work that need to be done. When possible, construction personal will reopen the sidewalk and provide ramps where needed.
When the sidewalk needs to be closed for work to proceed it does create a potential safety issue. When a sidewalk closure is required, I will put additional signage at the southeast end of the sidewalk to encourage students and parents to cross at the corner of 11th Ave. and Cypress and to continue down the sidewalk on the opposite side of the school and cross at the corner of 11th Ave and Maple to access the school grounds. As 11th Ave. is narrow, and there is considerable traffic at drop off and pick-up times in addition to the construction vehicles, I would discourage anyone from crossing other than at the corners.
If driving, please avoid dropping off your child on 11th Ave on the east side adjacent to the sidewalk closure as this could put your child in peril. Additionally, If I could ask anyone driving to take extra care on 11th Ave. and around the school as this has added to an already congested area.
Thank you in advance for doing your part to keep our children safe.
Update: March 28, 2022 (from Mike McEwan to all parents)
Dear Tennyson Families,
I am writing to update you with the most up to date information, provided by Michael Rossi, District Principal of Educational Planning, on our seismic project and playground at Tennyson. Due to unforeseen circumstances outlined below, the anticipated completion of the outdoor play areas has been delayed again. The school and District understand the playground is an integral part for the Tennyson community and is working with the contractors to maximize space as quickly as possible. In the interest of giving as much information as possible and being transparent, the following update has been prepared.
Sincerely,
Michael McEwan
Acting Principal
Tennyson Elementary
Dear Tennyson Families,
I am writing to update you with the most up to date information, provided by Michael Rossi, District Principal of Educational Planning, on our seismic project and playground at Tennyson. Due to unforeseen circumstances outlined below, the anticipated completion of the outdoor play areas has been delayed again. The school and District understand the playground is an integral part for the Tennyson community and is working with the contractors to maximize space as quickly as possible. In the interest of giving as much information as possible and being transparent, the following update has been prepared.
- Rubberization Update
- Due to the unforeseen issues with consistent rain over Spring Break there has been a delay in starting the rubberization of the intermediate playground.
- To make sure that this project was started before the end of March as required, VSB Grounds made the decision with consultation from Marathon Surfacing to fence off the south side of the property to allow for the project to move forward.
- Marathon (Rubberization Company) cannot stage their equipment on the construction site and therefore the perimeter fencing has been moved to the east to allow for a safe and efficient installation of the surfacing.
- Marathon will be start mobilizing for the rubberization of the intermediate playground today (Monday March 28, 2022).
- The rubberization is anticipated to take approximately 2 weeks to complete which is also weather dependent.
- Tennyson has been receiving an extra supervision aide funded through the seismic process. This extra supervision aide is going to be utilized in the coming days to facilitate the use of Connaught Park during lunch for grade 4 to 7 groupings. Each intermediate grade will be scheduled to have the opportunity to utilize Connaught Park at lunch once per week.
- Playground Update:
- Due to having a little bit of extra money in the Ministry of Education Playground Equipment Program (PEP) funding that the District applied for through the Capital Plan submission, VSB Grounds has collaborated with Habitat (Playground Company) to determine what additional pieces of accessible equipment could be installed in the Tennyson playground. They have determined that the following equipment would fit nicely into the playground area. Seeing this funding must be spent by the end of March, VSB Grounds has ordered the equipment and it will be installed by the end of the school year. An image of the additional equipment that was purchased is below.
- Parking Lot and Additional Basketball Court Access
- The parking lot and additional basketball court work has been delayed as well. Initially we were anticipating to get access by the end of March.
- The contractor is working on getting the concrete curb of the driveway completed.
- The contractor hopes to pour the concrete ramp tomorrow if they get approval to do so by the City of Vancouver.
- The concrete requires 1 week to cure before vehicles can drive on it.
- Therefore, the asphalt for the parking lot cannot start until vehicles can access the area. It is anticipated that it will take 2 weeks to complete the asphalt once the vehicles get access.
- All timelines are weather dependent.
- The timing for the seeding of the field
- All the sand was delivered to the Tennyson site over the last month and the contractor is now just level the areas to prepare it for seeding.
- The grass field is anticipated to be seeded in April.
- Once field is seeded, VSB Grounds will determine when the grass is mature enough to survive and withstand the pressures of school and community use.
- VSB Grounds anticipates that the field will be ready in October/November.
Sincerely,
Michael McEwan
Acting Principal
Tennyson Elementary
Update: March 9, 2022 (email from Michael Rossi via Mike McEwan to PAC Chair)
Our site is being impacted by the trucking shortage. This week I am getting half of my orders for trucks to site for sand, 3" minus and other materials I need to complete works. I have trucks booked to work Saturday to mitigate some of the delays.
It is good to see that the contractor is attempting to make up time by adding Saturday deliveries but as mentioned, even by doing this the completion of the field may be delayed a little.
Our site is being impacted by the trucking shortage. This week I am getting half of my orders for trucks to site for sand, 3" minus and other materials I need to complete works. I have trucks booked to work Saturday to mitigate some of the delays.
It is good to see that the contractor is attempting to make up time by adding Saturday deliveries but as mentioned, even by doing this the completion of the field may be delayed a little.
Update: Feb 28, 2022 (email from Michael Rossi read by Mike McEwan at Feb 28th PAC meeting)
- The current timeline for the completion of the grounds - ie, when do they take down the fence and allow our kids access?
- Parking lot and Basketball courts will be available to the school by the end of March
- Area between school and play field and the pathway beside the field will be available by the end of April
- Long Jump pit that was a late request of the school is causing delays
- Need asphalt under the long jump run up track has to cure for 30 days before rubber surface can be installed.
- Therefore long jump area may take a little longer
- Need asphalt under the long jump run up track has to cure for 30 days before rubber surface can be installed.
- Long Jump pit that was a late request of the school is causing delays
- All timelines are weather dependent
- Need good weather to be able to lay the sub layer (underlayer) and asphalt
- The timing for the seeding of the field
- The grass field is anticipated to be seeded at the beginning of April.
- Starting tomorrow there will be a number of dump trucks (contractor is to provide flaggers) delivering 3 to 4 loads of sand per day to start laying the base for the field
- This is proving to be more difficult due to the Broadway construction
- Starting tomorrow there will be a number of dump trucks (contractor is to provide flaggers) delivering 3 to 4 loads of sand per day to start laying the base for the field
- Once field is seeded, VSB Grounds will determine when the grass is mature enough to survive.
- VSB Grounds anticipates that this will be October/November.
- The grass field is anticipated to be seeded at the beginning of April.
- Update on the rubberization of the “big kids” playground. We were told approx 2 weeks from March 16th. Is that still the case?
- Due to recent cold weather and heavy rain this has been delayed and is anticipated to be completed by the end of March.
- Due to recent cold weather and heavy rain this has been delayed and is anticipated to be completed by the end of March.
- Playground Update:
- Due to having a little bit of extra money in the Ministry of Education PEP Grant that the District applied for through the Capital Plan submission. VSB Grounds has collaborated with Dave from Habitat to determine what additional pieces of accessible equipment could be installed in the Tennyson playground. They have determined that the following equipment would fit nicely into the playground area. Seeing this funding has to be spent by the end of March, VSB Grounds has ordered the equipment and it will be installed by the end of the school year.
Update: June 2020 (From M. Roch's email sent May 22nd)
We want to let all families know that we have a confirmed update regarding the seismic completion and move. Please see this letter linked to our website which explains the change in anticipated timeframe (you may need to copy and paste):
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/lord-tennyson/About-Us/Publications/Documents/Seismic%20Update%20Tennyson%20May%2022%202020.pdf
We want to let all families know that we have a confirmed update regarding the seismic completion and move. Please see this letter linked to our website which explains the change in anticipated timeframe (you may need to copy and paste):
https://www.vsb.bc.ca/schools/lord-tennyson/About-Us/Publications/Documents/Seismic%20Update%20Tennyson%20May%2022%202020.pdf
2017/2018 information
Update: November 2017
Last week Tennyson Parents, Veronica Ross and Erica Ellis, met with MLA David Eby and with representatives from the Lord Tennyson VSB Seismic Upgrade Committee in order to discuss the concerns they and many parents have about the new school project. Below are summaries from the two meetings.
Meeting with David Eby:
Meeting with VSB:
With respect to specific concerns voiced by parents:
General takeaways:
So what now?
Update: September 21, 2017
Following the September 16, 2017 PAC Meeting, representatives from the VSB produced the Tennyson Elementary New Replacement School Information Bulletin #1 to answer many of the questions raised by parents. It is packed with answers to many of the questions you may have.
Here are the Survey Results for your information. Thank you Veronica for collating the data and sharing the results with the city's team.
Update: September 21, 2017
New School Building Q&A
The items below were discussed by at the Seismic Committee Meeting on September 19, 2017
Q: What kind of feedback and changes are still possible?
A: Please comment and we will assess and let you know if change can be incorporated. In general, the project is considering feedback on layouts, windows, doors, millwork, landscaping, finishes.
Q: What kind of storage spaces is available in the new school?
A: Location for storage was pointed out. It is to be determined between the school staff and PAC how it can be used.
Q: Why was a separate entrance and exit stair for CoV childcare were not incorporated in design?
A: It was deemed cost prohibitive.
Q: How can it be ensured that the childcare clients do not wander around the school building and disrupt teaching?
A: Childcare provider will communicate to the parents the protocol for using the premises.
Q: Where are we in terms of agreement with out of school care providers?
A: Has to be directed to the VSB facilities and rentals. Project Manager will follow up with an email. Licensing officer is still
reviewing the outbuildings for compliance with the childcare requirements.
Q Will the gymnasium be able to hold full-school assemblies?
A: Yes, the new gymnasium can fit enough chairs for the entire student population
Q: Will there be space for the PAC equipment?
A: Depending on how storage space is allocated by the school, there may be some space made available for PAC storage. Potentially off-site storage will be required for current PAC equipment.
The items below were discussed at the September 18, 2017 PAC Meeting.
Does the proposed new school meet the current and future needs of the community?
In the Tennyson Project Definition Report the VSB states it is planning to redevelop the existing Lord Tennyson Elementary School and provide an entirely new school building on the existing site. The new school building will provide a capacity for 60 Kindergarten students and 375 grades 1 through 7 students, which is the same capacity as the existing school building. An out of school care component and a City of Vancouver Childcare centre (with a capacity for 69 children) will also form part of the new school building.
Parents were concerned that the plan for the new school was based on three year old student enrollment projections that don’t take account of the revised class size and composition and increased density in the neighbourhood. The VSB representatives reported that the Ministry of Education’s priority is to build a seismically safe building and not to address capacity issues with our new school. It was also stated that going back to the Ministry to review the plans based on current data could/would delay the project by three years.
Will there be enough out of school care spaces?
The team from the VSB confirmed that there will be space to accommodate the same number of out of school care students that are accommodated at the current school (105 students, I believe). The plan is to accommodate the students in the modular buildings and in “flex space” in the new school building. There are no additional out of school care spaces in the current school plan.
The daycare on the roof is a concern
Safety and traffic concerns were voiced about the planned daycare on the roof. The VSB representatives suggested that different drop off and pick up times for the daycare will ease traffic. As well, the elevator to the daycare is in the main lobby of the school in clear sight of the office staff.
How will traffic around the new school be managed?
A comprehensive Traffic Management Plan has been created as part of the development application. It is being considered by the City’s development review team along with the other documentation. Read the report here.
Update: September 18, 2017
Please see this update from the Sep 18 meeting where VSB and City of Vancouver representatives were in attendance.
Update: September 6, 2017
A Notice of Development Application for Lord Tennyson Elementary has been erected at the school. All of the development application documents can be found on the City of Vancouver website http://development.vancouver.ca/1936w10th/index.htm
Send comments to the Project Facilitator: [email protected]
The deadline for comment has been extended to September 25, 2017
Update October 27, 2016: Provincial Government Announces the Approval of Funding for Seismic Upgrade
The Education Minister Mike Bernier and the provincially-appointed school trustee Dianne Turner were at Tennyson today to announce the approval of funding for seismically upgrading Tennyson. Here is a CBC news release about it and the provincial government's news page.
Update June 14, 2016: Tennyson Project Definition Report Ready and Display Boards from June 8, 2016 Public Information Session
The Seismic Mitigation Project is continuing.
At the June 8, 2016 Open House, the City of Vancouver and VSB presented the Vancouver Project Office Steering Committee's recommendation to build a replacement school. Check out the display boards on the VSB's website.
Having incorporated feedback from the Seismic Upgrade Open House, the Tennyson Project Definition Report is ready to be presented at the June 15 VSB Planning & Facilities Committee (Committee II). The conclusion of the Project Definition Report states:
Having considered results of the technical reports, assessment of the options, feedback received from various stakeholders and consideration of the education and financial implications, VSB staff are recommending a full replacement school option (Option 2) be endorsed option for the renewal of Lord Tennyson Elementary School.
If the Board of Trustees approves the endorsed option, a Project Definition Report will be finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Education to secure a Project Agreement. Timing of the Project Agreement will largely be determined by Ministry review processes. Once the Project Agreement is finalized, VSB staff will commence the Schematic Design phase to ensure that the facility design meets education program objectives and to secure civic permits. When permits are in place, the project can proceed to tender and construction.
We will keep you posted on progress!
Update May 31, 2016: Attend the Information Session, June 8, to learn the latest on the Seismic Mitigation Project
Good news! The Seismic Mitigation Project for Lord Tennyson Elementary School is now well underway and there will be an Open House on June 8, where you can learn all about it.
The Vancouver Project Office Steering Committee has endorsed the option to replace the current school with a new building. This means a plan to build a new school is working it's way through the approval processes at the Vancouver School Board and the Ministry of Education.
On June 8, 2016 from 3-6pm, the Vancouver School Board is hosting a drop-in Open House in the Tennyson Gym. There will be presentation boards with renderings of possible designs and information on the construction schedule. Project leaders, members of the planning team and architects will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be ample opportunity to provide feedback verbally and through a feedback form.
It's exciting times, so stop by if you can. Childcare will be provided in the library.
Last week Tennyson Parents, Veronica Ross and Erica Ellis, met with MLA David Eby and with representatives from the Lord Tennyson VSB Seismic Upgrade Committee in order to discuss the concerns they and many parents have about the new school project. Below are summaries from the two meetings.
Meeting with David Eby:
- We met with David and shared our concerns about funding with respect to how out-of-school care and future increases in enrollment are (or are not!) being incorporated into the design. Here is a background information sheet that I provided to David.
- He has committed to discussing these concerns with the Education Minister (Rob Fleming), and the Minister of State for Child Care (Katrina Chen).
- I have asked for a response.
Meeting with VSB:
- We also met today with Claudette, Cathy (VSB Liaison) and Natasha (Project Manager) (both at September PAC meeting).
- Veronica and I mentioned that we had concerns (voiced at the Sep. PAC meeting), and that we had met with David Eby to bring those concerns directly to the Province.
- I think it’s important for the parents to understand that as far as the VSB is concerned, the Sep. PAC meeting was an “information meeting”: VSB does not foresee substantial changes to the design at this stage, regardless of the feedback provided. (I wanted to make this clear, since I didn’t understand where this project was at, and whether I should expect to see my feedback acted on…)
- The time for parents to provide input to change the design has passed, and it seems likely that there was a communication breakdown at some point in this process. The timeline provided by Claudette in the last school newsletter is useful in understanding everything that came before the September 2017 PAC meeting.
- The City is supposed to respond to the feedback they receive as part of the Development Permit process, but (a) they are late already, (b) they have historically not been great at communicating, and (c) they are also very unlikely to request substantial changes to the design in response to feedback. Mostly they are checking the design against their bylaws. (One of which is parking, which is the ‘driver’ for the parking lot…).
- The VSB needs the City to issue a Development Permit (the stage we are currently at), and then a Building Permit.
- The VSB sees this project moving ahead: they are essentially finished Design Development, and are moving into producing Construction Drawings. The tender is planned for spring 2018, with construction tentatively starting in late spring / early summer 2018.
With respect to specific concerns voiced by parents:
- Increasing the number of spots for out-of-school care: not within the VSB mandate, they are already doing as much as they can with the funding from the Province (hence the need to lobby the Province directly!)
- 0-4 childcare space on 3rd floor: this is a City-funded initiative. Only Crosstown has this so far (although theirs is on the first floor), but Nelson (under construction) and Fleming (at tender stage) will also have this, as does Tennyson. VSB acknowledges that the model has not been tested, but they do not really have much of a choice, as we understand it.
- Dedicated entrance to 0-4 yr daycare: not judged (by VSB/City) to be worth the extra cost.
- Daycare users likely to be entering the school earlier than school population.
- School-age kids likely to be entering/exiting the school somewhat differently than in the current layout: fewer opportunities to interact with the daycare users.
- Parking lot: City bylaw requires parking. Underground parking costs ~ $40,000 per spot – total roughly $1M for the number of spots required. See my point above about Provincial funding… :P
- General concerns about site layout / parking: design is constrained by the space that is available (given that the existing school will stay in place until the new one is ready, and that the portables are staying to accommodate out-of-school care demand – i.e. to get us to the current 105 spots instead of the funding-formula 60 spots).
- Parking is mostly for staff so little anticipated movement of vehicles during the day.
- Landscape architect will consider how adults/kids will be using the space and will make appropriate allowances for measures like fencing.
- Covered outdoor areas: not part of the Provincial funding (see my point above re: funding!) – will be very limited.
- May adjust people-traffic flow at new school: perhaps the kids won’t line up outside anymore?
- Changes in future enrollment demand (e.g. Broadway skytrain) / class size & composition
- The VSB’s response is that because LT, being single-stream French Immersion, is a “Choice” program, as I understand it there is no requirement to maintain some sort of guaranteed number of spots: more demand may just mean that fewer kids will get in (I’m not sure that “choice” is really an appropriate name for the program at that point, maybe “chance”…?)
- To the idea that major infrastructure projects of this nature could/should incorporate these kinds of shifts in the project context during the design phase (i.e. as brought up at the September PAC meeting by the parent working on the new St. Paul’s Hospital), the VSB response is that education isn’t funded the same way health care is. From what I understood the funding approach for the seismic upgrades to the schools is that the budget and timeline are agreed-upon very early in the timeline, and a contingency is built into the budget attempt to cover for the various factors that might come to light as the project proceeds (e.g. delays, poor soils, etc.). The contingency is *not enough* to address adding more classrooms, more out-of-school care, etc.
General takeaways:
- I was relieved to hear that VSB is learning from each project that is undertaken and goes into service. They do a walk-around, talk to the operations people, talk to staff, and listen to concerns about what does / doesn’t work in these new schools. Natasha provided specific examples of how they were building on ‘lessons-learned’ from Ecole Bilingue (HVAC), and Gordon (noise transmission in ‘modular’ classroom areas, thermal regulation).
- There are still small adjustments being made to the design (e.g. our gym is getting bigger: it could not accommodate full-sized badminton courts, apparently).
- In general, VSB (i.e. Natasha) is willing to adjust the design within the limits that she has to address valid concerns: however, she cannot manufacture more money for this project.
So what now?
- If you are interested in engaging further with the Province contact MLAs David Eby - [email protected] and George Heyman - [email protected] The fundamentals of all these projects revolve around money, so we are not going to get anywhere without engaging the Province.
- Contact Madame Alain with questions for the Lord Tennyson Seismic Committee.
- The Lord Tennyson Seismic Committee will be meeting with VSB about every two months and can provide information updates on the project. VSB is also open to us calling meetings if there are specific concerns to be discussed.
Update: September 21, 2017
Following the September 16, 2017 PAC Meeting, representatives from the VSB produced the Tennyson Elementary New Replacement School Information Bulletin #1 to answer many of the questions raised by parents. It is packed with answers to many of the questions you may have.
Here are the Survey Results for your information. Thank you Veronica for collating the data and sharing the results with the city's team.
Update: September 21, 2017
New School Building Q&A
The items below were discussed by at the Seismic Committee Meeting on September 19, 2017
Q: What kind of feedback and changes are still possible?
A: Please comment and we will assess and let you know if change can be incorporated. In general, the project is considering feedback on layouts, windows, doors, millwork, landscaping, finishes.
Q: What kind of storage spaces is available in the new school?
A: Location for storage was pointed out. It is to be determined between the school staff and PAC how it can be used.
Q: Why was a separate entrance and exit stair for CoV childcare were not incorporated in design?
A: It was deemed cost prohibitive.
Q: How can it be ensured that the childcare clients do not wander around the school building and disrupt teaching?
A: Childcare provider will communicate to the parents the protocol for using the premises.
Q: Where are we in terms of agreement with out of school care providers?
A: Has to be directed to the VSB facilities and rentals. Project Manager will follow up with an email. Licensing officer is still
reviewing the outbuildings for compliance with the childcare requirements.
Q Will the gymnasium be able to hold full-school assemblies?
A: Yes, the new gymnasium can fit enough chairs for the entire student population
Q: Will there be space for the PAC equipment?
A: Depending on how storage space is allocated by the school, there may be some space made available for PAC storage. Potentially off-site storage will be required for current PAC equipment.
The items below were discussed at the September 18, 2017 PAC Meeting.
Does the proposed new school meet the current and future needs of the community?
In the Tennyson Project Definition Report the VSB states it is planning to redevelop the existing Lord Tennyson Elementary School and provide an entirely new school building on the existing site. The new school building will provide a capacity for 60 Kindergarten students and 375 grades 1 through 7 students, which is the same capacity as the existing school building. An out of school care component and a City of Vancouver Childcare centre (with a capacity for 69 children) will also form part of the new school building.
Parents were concerned that the plan for the new school was based on three year old student enrollment projections that don’t take account of the revised class size and composition and increased density in the neighbourhood. The VSB representatives reported that the Ministry of Education’s priority is to build a seismically safe building and not to address capacity issues with our new school. It was also stated that going back to the Ministry to review the plans based on current data could/would delay the project by three years.
Will there be enough out of school care spaces?
The team from the VSB confirmed that there will be space to accommodate the same number of out of school care students that are accommodated at the current school (105 students, I believe). The plan is to accommodate the students in the modular buildings and in “flex space” in the new school building. There are no additional out of school care spaces in the current school plan.
The daycare on the roof is a concern
Safety and traffic concerns were voiced about the planned daycare on the roof. The VSB representatives suggested that different drop off and pick up times for the daycare will ease traffic. As well, the elevator to the daycare is in the main lobby of the school in clear sight of the office staff.
How will traffic around the new school be managed?
A comprehensive Traffic Management Plan has been created as part of the development application. It is being considered by the City’s development review team along with the other documentation. Read the report here.
Update: September 18, 2017
Please see this update from the Sep 18 meeting where VSB and City of Vancouver representatives were in attendance.
Update: September 6, 2017
A Notice of Development Application for Lord Tennyson Elementary has been erected at the school. All of the development application documents can be found on the City of Vancouver website http://development.vancouver.ca/1936w10th/index.htm
Send comments to the Project Facilitator: [email protected]
The deadline for comment has been extended to September 25, 2017
Update October 27, 2016: Provincial Government Announces the Approval of Funding for Seismic Upgrade
The Education Minister Mike Bernier and the provincially-appointed school trustee Dianne Turner were at Tennyson today to announce the approval of funding for seismically upgrading Tennyson. Here is a CBC news release about it and the provincial government's news page.
Update June 14, 2016: Tennyson Project Definition Report Ready and Display Boards from June 8, 2016 Public Information Session
The Seismic Mitigation Project is continuing.
At the June 8, 2016 Open House, the City of Vancouver and VSB presented the Vancouver Project Office Steering Committee's recommendation to build a replacement school. Check out the display boards on the VSB's website.
Having incorporated feedback from the Seismic Upgrade Open House, the Tennyson Project Definition Report is ready to be presented at the June 15 VSB Planning & Facilities Committee (Committee II). The conclusion of the Project Definition Report states:
Having considered results of the technical reports, assessment of the options, feedback received from various stakeholders and consideration of the education and financial implications, VSB staff are recommending a full replacement school option (Option 2) be endorsed option for the renewal of Lord Tennyson Elementary School.
If the Board of Trustees approves the endorsed option, a Project Definition Report will be finalized and submitted to the Ministry of Education to secure a Project Agreement. Timing of the Project Agreement will largely be determined by Ministry review processes. Once the Project Agreement is finalized, VSB staff will commence the Schematic Design phase to ensure that the facility design meets education program objectives and to secure civic permits. When permits are in place, the project can proceed to tender and construction.
We will keep you posted on progress!
Update May 31, 2016: Attend the Information Session, June 8, to learn the latest on the Seismic Mitigation Project
Good news! The Seismic Mitigation Project for Lord Tennyson Elementary School is now well underway and there will be an Open House on June 8, where you can learn all about it.
The Vancouver Project Office Steering Committee has endorsed the option to replace the current school with a new building. This means a plan to build a new school is working it's way through the approval processes at the Vancouver School Board and the Ministry of Education.
On June 8, 2016 from 3-6pm, the Vancouver School Board is hosting a drop-in Open House in the Tennyson Gym. There will be presentation boards with renderings of possible designs and information on the construction schedule. Project leaders, members of the planning team and architects will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be ample opportunity to provide feedback verbally and through a feedback form.
It's exciting times, so stop by if you can. Childcare will be provided in the library.
UPDATE, May 18, 2016: Seismic Upgrade Open House on June 8
A Seismic Upgrade Public Open House will be held in the library on June 8 from 3 - 6pm. Childcare will be provided. Drop in and ask questions and share your feedback with the VSB.
UPDATE, May 12, 2016: Seismic Upgrade Work Could Start October 2016
Jay Hiscox (Manager of Operations) and his colleague from the Vancouver School Board Planning and Facilities department joined the May PAC meeting to update parents on the seismic mitigation plan and to begin gathering input from parents.
Following an assessment Tennyson has been rated as an H1 school, meaning the building is at highest risk of widespread damage or structural failure in the event of a strong earthquake; not reparable after an event. Because of the high rating and our large catchment area, the Lord Tennyson seismic upgrade project is now at the top of the list (with other schools) for seismic upgrading.
What are the options for Tennyson?
A feasibility study has determined the two options for Lord Tennyson are a full seismic upgrade of the current building or to replace the school. Both options have pros and cons.
A full seismic upgrade of the current building will retain the heritage B structure while bringing it up to current building code for earthquakes. The work will be limited to structure and life safety projects so there will still be deferred maintenance costs for other infrastructure such as electrical and mechanical systems not touched during the retrofit. While the work is being conducted, students will be educated off-site, at a yet to be determined school. Transportation to the off-site school may be provided.
A new school will be built to a greater structural safety standard than a retrofitted building and is more likely to be safe to use immediately after an earthquake. The new school would be built on the school field and would have to be 25% smaller in size than the current building but will use the space better (more multi-purpose rooms). While the school is being built students can continue learning in the old school building.
When will work start and how long will it take?
The VSB hope to start the seismic upgrade process for Tennyson in October 2016.
Throughout the project there will be ample opportunity to make sure parents, teachers and community members' voices are clearly heard. We will keep you posted.
A Seismic Upgrade Public Open House will be held in the library on June 8 from 3 - 6pm. Childcare will be provided. Drop in and ask questions and share your feedback with the VSB.
UPDATE, May 12, 2016: Seismic Upgrade Work Could Start October 2016
Jay Hiscox (Manager of Operations) and his colleague from the Vancouver School Board Planning and Facilities department joined the May PAC meeting to update parents on the seismic mitigation plan and to begin gathering input from parents.
Following an assessment Tennyson has been rated as an H1 school, meaning the building is at highest risk of widespread damage or structural failure in the event of a strong earthquake; not reparable after an event. Because of the high rating and our large catchment area, the Lord Tennyson seismic upgrade project is now at the top of the list (with other schools) for seismic upgrading.
What are the options for Tennyson?
A feasibility study has determined the two options for Lord Tennyson are a full seismic upgrade of the current building or to replace the school. Both options have pros and cons.
A full seismic upgrade of the current building will retain the heritage B structure while bringing it up to current building code for earthquakes. The work will be limited to structure and life safety projects so there will still be deferred maintenance costs for other infrastructure such as electrical and mechanical systems not touched during the retrofit. While the work is being conducted, students will be educated off-site, at a yet to be determined school. Transportation to the off-site school may be provided.
A new school will be built to a greater structural safety standard than a retrofitted building and is more likely to be safe to use immediately after an earthquake. The new school would be built on the school field and would have to be 25% smaller in size than the current building but will use the space better (more multi-purpose rooms). While the school is being built students can continue learning in the old school building.
When will work start and how long will it take?
The VSB hope to start the seismic upgrade process for Tennyson in October 2016.
- The design development stage will take approximately 17 months
- The tender process takes 3-4 months
- Once the project is awarded to the successful bidder, construction or retrofitting takes approximately 21 months
Throughout the project there will be ample opportunity to make sure parents, teachers and community members' voices are clearly heard. We will keep you posted.
UPDATE, Feb 12, 2016: Seismic Update Information on VSB Website
The Vancouver School Board has updated the seismic information available on their website.
Please check it out here:
UPDATE, June 2015: District Principal of Field Services Speak to PAC
The District Principal of Field Services joined the June PAC meeting to update parents on the seismic upgrade project. It was explained that Tennyson has been designated a "Heritage B" school . Engineering and architectural firms have been hired to do a feasibility analysis and determine the cost of fixing the school building vs. replacing the school. The government will go with the lower cost option. By the end of 2015, we should know if they will go with a replacement or a fix.
UPDATE, June, 2013: Consultation Work to Begin Fall 2013
While there is no detailed update regarding Tennyson's seismic upgrade, we understand that in the current group of 16 approved VSB schools, Tennyson will be first up. This likely means that consultations and planning will begin in the Fall 2013 with a targeted Project Definition Report submission sometime in the spring of 2014.
UPDATE: On April 8, 2013: Media Event at Lord Tennyson
BC Premier Christy Clark held a media event at Lord Tennyson announcing funding for seismic upgrades to 45 BC schools, including Lord Tennyson.
The Vancouver School Board has updated the seismic information available on their website.
Please check it out here:
UPDATE, June 2015: District Principal of Field Services Speak to PAC
The District Principal of Field Services joined the June PAC meeting to update parents on the seismic upgrade project. It was explained that Tennyson has been designated a "Heritage B" school . Engineering and architectural firms have been hired to do a feasibility analysis and determine the cost of fixing the school building vs. replacing the school. The government will go with the lower cost option. By the end of 2015, we should know if they will go with a replacement or a fix.
UPDATE, June, 2013: Consultation Work to Begin Fall 2013
While there is no detailed update regarding Tennyson's seismic upgrade, we understand that in the current group of 16 approved VSB schools, Tennyson will be first up. This likely means that consultations and planning will begin in the Fall 2013 with a targeted Project Definition Report submission sometime in the spring of 2014.
UPDATE: On April 8, 2013: Media Event at Lord Tennyson
BC Premier Christy Clark held a media event at Lord Tennyson announcing funding for seismic upgrades to 45 BC schools, including Lord Tennyson.
VSB Seismic Mitigation Program
The Vancouver School Board (VSB) has submitted a capital plan request to the BC Ministry of Education for the upgrade or replacement over the next 5 years of 30 VSB schools which have a high seismic risk. Lord Tennyson is included in this list of 30 schools and has been scheduled for seismic assessment during the 2012-2013 school year, the first year of the 5-year plan.
In advance of the Ministry of Education’s decision, a team of VSB engineers visited Lord Tennyson in the fall of 2012 to analyze and identify what would be required to make the school seismically safe and address other deficiencies such as wiring and plumbing. This report has been sent to the Ministry, and we are now waiting to hear whether or not funding will be committed to a seismic upgrade or replacement for our school.
In advance of the Ministry of Education’s decision, a team of VSB engineers visited Lord Tennyson in the fall of 2012 to analyze and identify what would be required to make the school seismically safe and address other deficiencies such as wiring and plumbing. This report has been sent to the Ministry, and we are now waiting to hear whether or not funding will be committed to a seismic upgrade or replacement for our school.
Renewal Process (click to enlarge)
If the Ministry approves a seismic upgrade / replacement for Lord Tennyson, an advisory committee is expected to be formed to consult on the various decisions associated to the project. This committee would consist of staff, parents, community and other interested stakeholders. Decisions regarding school seismic upgrades and replacements are ultimately made by the School Trustees and the VSB Board of Directors.
The overall advisory and decision making structure is outlined in the "Renewal Process" diagram.
David Nelson (District Principal, Field Services, Office of the Superintendant, VSB) serves as liaison between the VSB and schools and parents for the seismic upgrading of VSB schools. David has agreed to present at a future general PAC meeting once the seismic upgrade plans for Tennyson are better defined (i.e. if the Ministry approves our school for a seismic upgrade/replacement, which would then trigger the next steps in the determination of a specific plan for our school).
The overall advisory and decision making structure is outlined in the "Renewal Process" diagram.
David Nelson (District Principal, Field Services, Office of the Superintendant, VSB) serves as liaison between the VSB and schools and parents for the seismic upgrading of VSB schools. David has agreed to present at a future general PAC meeting once the seismic upgrade plans for Tennyson are better defined (i.e. if the Ministry approves our school for a seismic upgrade/replacement, which would then trigger the next steps in the determination of a specific plan for our school).
Capital Planning Process Timeline
The following timeline outlines the standard capital planning process for seismic upgrade projects. Lord Tennyson is currently in the "Project Identification" phase. Once approved, a seismic upgrade/replacement project may take 3-5 years from start to finish.
The following timeline outlines the standard capital planning process for seismic upgrade projects. Lord Tennyson is currently in the "Project Identification" phase. Once approved, a seismic upgrade/replacement project may take 3-5 years from start to finish.
For more information, see:
- BC government's Seismic Mitigation Program
- VSB's Seismic Information
- Blog postings related to seismic upgrades at Tennyson
- the following VSB presentations:
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