Two more Vancouver schools high on Earthquake risk to be replaced

Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary School is one of two Vancouver schools that will be replaced under the provincial government's latest seismic upgrading program.

A comprehensive school seismic upgrading program aims to make schools safer in the event of an earthquake by minimizing the probability of structural collapse.

Construction of the $24.5 million replacement for Bayview on Vancouver's west side will first require the demolition of the existing school, parts of which were built in 1913.

BC Premier John Horgan said during the news conference to announce the projects, "Every child deserves to go to a safe, secure and healthy school."

Both new schools are scheduled to open in 2021.