Upper Halfway Elementary School gym opens

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Upper Halfway Elementary students and neighbouring communities have a new accessible gymnasium to utilize.

The Ministry of Education and Child Care announced Wednesday that construction of the new gym is now complete after just over a year.

The province invested $5.7 million in the new gym, with School District 60 contributing an additional $29,000.

“We’re excited by the opportunities the new gym will bring for our students at Upper Halfway and the community in general,” said Helen Gilbert, chair of the district’s board.

“The gym will allow for expanded physical education offerings year round.”

Upper Halfway Elementary School was originally constructed in 1960 without a gym, resulting in the Halfway Graham Community Hall being used for physical education classes.

The community hall, however, is not wheelchair accessible and does not have washroom facilities.

Construction on the school’s new gym began in the fall of 2022, and the walls were put up the following February.

According to the Ministry of Education and Child Care, the new gymnasium is built to LEED Gold standards, which minimizes greenhouse gas emissions and utility costs.

The space was built with the entire community in mind, including features supporting community gatherings, such as a food counter.

Upper Halfway Elementary School supports students from kindergarten through grade 10, and for more information, visit the School District’s website.