Wonowon school facility upgrades move ahead despite concerns over U.S. tariff threats

WONOWON, B.C. — Wonowon Elementary School upgrades are still progressing despite tariff threats. 

Wonowon Elementary School’s facility upgrades and replacement project is continuing to move forward despite concerns from School District 60 (SD 60) over tariff threats from the United States.

The project is said to make bright and updated spaces for 20 additional students.

Additional upgrades include the water well and filtration system and the installation of ramps to make the school more accessible for people with disabilities.

The project had an anticipated completion date in the fall of 2025. 

SD 60 superintendent Stephen Petrucci says the “current volatile political and economic environment” makes it impossible to predict how the project may be affected.

Petrucci said the project does have contingency funds to account for any unforeseen expenses like tariffs. 

An update on the Wonowon school facility replacement project was presented during SD 60’s committee of the whole meeting on Monday, February 3rd. 

According to a December 2024 news release, the provincial government provided close to $17 million in funding for the school.

Petrucci says the district has seen an increase in enrollment in the last couple of years and anticipates this will continue with the new facility.

“The new school will come with all the advantages of new build multi-use spaces for art and hands-on projects’, inclusion spaces, proper office space, bright and effective learning spaces.  We really appreciate this investment in the Wonowon community,” said Petrucci. 

Petrucci goes on to praise the local community for its support on the project. 

“[The community] have been great partners in collaborating on the design as well as advocating for a new facility for many years.

“The students and their families are very excited to see this project go ahead.”

More information on the province’s major capital projects can be found here.

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