A revised NorKam trades and technology centre and confirmed numbers for upgrades to South Kamloops secondary are included in the school district’s annual capital report.
The changes to the decade-old NorKam proposal see the cost of the project drop from almost $9 million to a more manageable $7.4 million, said school board chairwoman Denise Harper.
Harper said Tuesday this bodes well for securing capital money for the project from the province.
“I am optimistic we will receive some funding,” said Harper.
The capital report was presented to school trustees at a meeting of the Kamloops-Thompson school board Monday night. Trustees will be asked to approve the document at a meeting on Oct. 15.
Harper said the NorKam proposal would see an addition built on the northeast side of the building that includes four large multipurpose shops, two classrooms and a common area.
The original plan called for a similar structure in the school’s industrial education wing on the south side of the building. Harper said there is less of a grade on the northeast side, which reduces construct costs.
Also at the top of the capital list are key upgrades to South Kamloops secondary and Beattie School of the Arts John Peterson campus at SKS.
The $12.5-million upgrades at the secondary school include a new gym and change room and construction of five classrooms, said Harper. The $1.6 million at Beattie would see the library and front office renovated.
