Wells school renovation gets funding boost from mining company

Plans to renovate “the old school” in Wells got a boost last week.

Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. (BGM) gave the District of Wells more than $500,000 towards the completion of renovations at the Wells-Barkerville Culture and Recreation Centre. That donation could turn into more than $2 million, thanks to the Canada Infrastructure Community Culture and Recreation Program. Granting through that program requires governments to cover 27 per cent of the cost of the project.

A plan to renovate the building was put together by a committee brought together by the District of Wells.

“With little notice to raise such [a] large amount of funds, the committee approached BGM, who immediately recognized the importance of this facility to the community and were happy to partner on this project. The submission would not have been possible without the contribution from BGM,” a news release from the District reads.

The space is used right now by the Island Mountain Arts Society, school groups attending Barkerville’s summer programs, a daycare and independent artists.

The committee has put out a business plan to renovate the centre. The plan outlines four areas for upgrades: energy efficiency, accessibility, health and safety and recreation and green space.

The project is broken up into three phases, with projects in each area completed over each phase. Upgrades as small as $1,000 to patch cement are included, as well as larger projects, like $450,000 in insulation and window repairs, and $250,000 for a roof over the skating rink.

The school was closed in fall of 2019 after asbestos was discovered inside the walls.

The community fought to keep the school open 18 years ago, buying the building from the Quesnel School District after a student strike and a hunger strike by a local artist and the mayor.

“There is still a ways to go, but by working together, once again, we have shown what our community can do,” Mayor Gabe Fourchalk said in the news release.

If the funding is received, construction will begin next fall, with the project set for completion in December 2024.

READ MORE: Quesnel council eager to work with Barkerville Gold Mines

READ MORE: Upgrades to facilities, restructured fire brigade, new education forest among exciting projects in Wells

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: cassidy.dankochik@quesnelobserver.com