Mar Jok Elementary School rings in Chinese New Year with grand opening

WEST KELOWNA – A new West Kelowna elementary school has held its grand opening and the opportunity to bring the Chinese New Year — year of the goat — into the celebration wasn't ignored.

The event on Wednesday, Feb. 29 was attended by the family of Mar Jok, the new school's namesake. He immigrated to Canada with his brother in 1912 and made an important contibution to the community of West Kelowna as a businessman and long-time volunteer.

The ceremony commenced with a traditional greeting by the West Bank First Nation and was followed by a dragon dance performance by students, according to a B.C. government media release.

Students have been attending the $14-million Mar Jok Elementary School since September, which can accomodate up to 460 students from grade kindergarten to grade six.

"The school is designed to support the ever changing delivery of education in our school district," Central Okanagan school board chair Moyra Baxter says in the media release. "This modern facility, with its open classrooms and Neighbourhood Learning Centre will serve the community of West Kelowna for decades to come."

The Neighbourhood Learning Centre is open for a number of community programs to families and children through the district. These include various fitness, recreational, sports and dance programs.

The design of the school is about open spaces and B.C. wood while also taking into consideration energy consumption and environmental impact. It follows the LEED Gold Standards, according to the release.

The school, a joint development project between the Ministry of Education and the District of West Kelowna, includes the Rosewood Sports Field. The sports field is available to students during school hours and to the public for sports events outside school hours.