Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George School District is hoping to take advantage of some new funding from the provincial government.

On Friday Education Minister Mike Bernier announced Victoria will be providing almost $20 million to help B.C. school districts extend the life of their facilities and school-based assets.

Districts have been asked to identify priorities for routine capital upgrade projects. Eligible projects must cost more than $100,000 and may include:

Electrical upgrades (power supply and distribution systems)
Energy upgrades
Health and safety upgrades (traffic safety, indoor air quality)
Mechanical upgrades (heating, ventilation, plumbing)
Roofing upgrades

“Priority will be given to schools with enrolment demands and the greatest opportunity to improve facilities, as well as schools with strategic importance to districts such as those in rural areas with limited alternatives and projected enrolment growth,” reads a government news release.

Allan Reed, secretary-treasurer with the Prince George School District, says the funding is above and beyond their annual facility grant of $3.1 million and notes they will be applying though he can’t confirm for what exactly.

“Yes, our staff is starting to do that work and we haven’t had that conversation with the board at this point,” he says. “But it will certainly fall into those main areas of upgrading mechanical, roofing, health and safety. I think those would be the areas we’d be most focused on.”

Districts have until September 15, 2015 to submit their proposals to the ministry.