École Mission Senior Secondary Replacement

Thank you for your question. The final determination of the type of field has not been made at this time. The replacement project does include a multi-use field. The current ministry funding does not support an artificial turf field.

The replacement project does include a multi-use field, although a ball diamond has not been included at this time.  The school district will consider this as the project progresses.

Responding to your question about the rationale for building a new school vs replacing the existing structure. As you surmised, there are some behind the scenes considerations and regulations that influence this. In no particular order:

•    The Ministry of Education does not supply funds to build schools for future enrollment growth; they only react to it.  That means that if we show them a plan that indicates Silverdale will need a secondary school by 2040, they will not build it until at least 2040.  Historically the Ministry was burned by not doing this; Thornhill Jr Secondary in Terrace, for example, was built around 1995 and closed due to low enrollment by 1999.

•    The current MSS building has portions that are 75 years old and are nearing the end of life. There is a formula the Ministry uses for repairs and seismic upgrades versus full replacement. It reminds me of when I realised I had spent $22K on my '92 Ford Explorer in repairs, maintenance, etc in a year, and I could have bought a brand new car instead.

•    The new MSS is built with a potential expansion model on the eastern side, that would expand it from 1500 students to 1750.  We currently have cohorts of about 350-420 per grade level in Mission, so this would be closer to 550 per grade, which would be some time away from now. 

•    In regards to growth, the entire province (except for Sooke and Langley) actually declined in population this year—BC has about 100000 fewer residents, with Surrey losing about 400 students and Mission dropping about 30 students, so the growth imperative is taking a little breather. This will alter if/when the federal government changes the immigration policy. It has significantly impacted not just things like housing stock, but Post Secondary enrollment; my wife is a professor at SFU and they are in the hole tens of millions. The knock on effect of that on things like rental housing, groceries, etc then impact folks already living here.

•    All that said, in our Long Range Facility plan, there are plans for an additional Secondary school (to the West), as well as more feeder elementary schools.  There is also the potential to convert Middle Schools back into Secondary schools, but that is complicated and expensive.  In any event, I would suspect that around 2040 we would be building that second high school — if growth begins to rematerialise.

The Ministry does not fund a new track. We requested a substructure for the track is to be installed. Any further plans will most likely have to be made in partnership with the City of Mission.

At this time, the current baseball diamond will become a multi purpose practice field.  

The final determination of the type of field has not been made at this time. The current funding does not support a turf field.  

While MSS is a unique build, Ventana have a lot of experience with large public facilities like the Langley Events Centre or the Terry Fox Library in Coquitlam.  If you would like to see a real world secondary school example, Ventana constructed Handsworth Secondary in North Vancouver, which is similar to the new MSS.

All current services and courses will continue in the new building, but the new design will be more inclusive and supportive of all learners.  The building is also designed with a potential expansion on the west side for a community childcare centre.

Archived items like photos, plaques, and the like will be transferred to the new building, although not all will be displayed.  We will also have a closing ceremony for the old building.

Currently the building is on schedule and on budget.