High School Students Build New Homes

Photo: Principal Richard Koop stands in the doorway of one of the newly completed Residential Construction Project Homes -Johanna Henderson/Energeticcity.ca

Two brand new homes have just hit the real estate market in Fort St. John — both built by local high school students. The houses are the efforts of the Residential Construction Project, a module that can see students earning over a quarter of their high school credits towards graduation in a single semester. The students also receive their Level 1 Carpentry technical training and write their first year Carpentry exam. Rick Koop, Principal in charge of Special Projects, says the program so far has proved to be a great opportunity for students looking to move into any of the skilled trades involved in construction. [asset|aid=207|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=Rick Koop 1_1_Pub.mp3] These homes represent some firsts for the Residential Construction Project, now in its fifth year. This is the first year that the students have built more than one home in a semester. The two new homes are smaller than those constructed in previous years and are aimed at providing affordable housing in the city. The homes are also heated and cooled using geothermal systems. Principal Koop says the district is considering implementing the technology in district schools and offices. [asset|aid=208|format=mp3player|formatter=asset_bonus|title=Rick Koop – Geothermal_1_Pub.mp3] The houses, located on 95th Ave, can be found listed for sale on

www.MLS.ca.