Bayview Community School is set to receive major HVAC upgrades courtesy of funding from the Federal and Provincial governments. Photo: SSRCE
Last week the Nova Scotia and Federal governments announced they are investing $25 million into schools around the province.
Seven South Shore Regional Centre for Education (SSRCE) schools are set to receive a portion of the funding after successfully applying for projects that fit the funding parameters.
According to the government, projects eligible for this round of funding include;
- Energy efficiency improvements, including new windows and upgraded building systems
- Improved accessibility, including new elevators and lifts
- Exterior and interior repairs, including new roofs or roof repairs, facade upgrades and painting
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard Bernadette Jordan says the funding parameters allowed for a wide range of projects to be approved but all work will be done with the goal of reducing carbon emissions.
“We are all very aware of the realities of climate change and the work that needs to be done, so this project like all projects we support will be looking at ways we can help achieve our climate goals,” said Minister Jordan.
Of the seven projects approved locally, three schools (Aspotogan Consolidated School, Bayview Community School and Chester District Elementary School) are set to undergo major work to their HVAC systems which are anticipated to have a major impact on their carbon footprints.
SSRCE Executive Director Paul Ash says in the case of those three schools this round of upgrades could help see those schools achieve their goals of net-zero emissions by 2050.
“It’s possible we could reach some of our goals with the upgrades to HVAC systems that are set to take place, and throughout the process, we’ll be looking for opportunities to improve,” Ash said.
The HVAC upgrades also come during a time where air quality has become a pressing issue. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for quality air circulation has only become more apparent.
Minister Jordan says the federal government in addition to offering support for upgrades to HVAC systems also gave $25,000 to every school in the province to build outdoor classrooms which allow students to learn while getting fresh air.
The federal government funding comes from the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
