$8.9 million upgrade for WFN school

WEST KELOWNA – A Westbank First Nation elementary school will soon get an almost $9 million upgrade.

Students and staff at the Sensisyusten House of Learning will be getting new classrooms, a learning assistance room, expanded administration, lighting, roofing, insulation, building exterior, outdoor classroom spaces, more washrooms and a new entry and reception area, according to a Westbank First Nation media release.

Improvements will enhance safety, student learning, teaching capacity, and language and cultural programming. 

The First Nation says the project will cost over $8.8 million with the majority of funds coming from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. Members voted yesterday, March 15, to approve spending roughly $1.5 million of their own money on the project. 

“Sensisyusten students are so happy about the outcome,” Chief Roxanne Lindley says in the release. “I love seeing the spirit of our future leaders.”

Construction is set to begin later this year and finish winter of 2019.

Construction finished on a $5.5 million youth centre last year and work begins this year on a $700,000 public skateboard park and sports court.

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