Adjustable-height desks, charging stations in locker areas and floor-to-ceiling writeable wall surfaces in classrooms are among the features of the just-about-finished new NWSS.
The replacement New Westminster Secondary School, with a price tag of $106.5 million, is under construction on the school site at Eighth Avenue and Sixth Street.
![Grand Commons, NWSS](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/glaciermedia/import/lmp-all/1626898-grandcommons20201022-0020.jpg;w=960)
The 16,390-square-metre school is being built to accommodate 1,900 students. It was originally scheduled to be open for occupancy this fall, but COVID-19-related challenges with supply chains and workforce numbers slowed the project down.
The district is hoping for a mid-year move-in this school year. At the last school board operations committee meeting Oct. 13, facilities director Dave Crowe wasn’t yet able to provide a firm move-in date but assured trustees that finalizing the move to the new building is “Job 1.”
![breakout spaces, NWSS](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/glaciermedia/import/lmp-all/1626899-breakoutspaces20201022-0065.jpg;w=960)
Construction has been continuing, and furniture and fixings are being loaded in now. School trustees got a tour of the almost-finished new school this week.
The district’s communications manager, Kristen Keighley-Wight, shared photos with the Record and provided some updates about the new school.
Among the highlights:
BUILDING LAYOUT
- Entering into the building will bring you into the Grand Commons, a space that’s adaptable for cafeteria use, assemblies and learning opportunities.
- The design of the school includes a number of “breakout spaces” throughout the school that will have reconfigurable furniture installed to allow for collaboration between classrooms.
PERFORMING ARTS
![theatre, NWSS](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/glaciermedia/import/lmp-all/1626901-theatrestageview20201022-0101.jpg;w=960)
- The band room has been built with sound absorption features including ceiling panels, wall-mounted panels around the full room, and angled doors on the installed cupboards.
- The theatre stage has been designed to match the size of the stage at Massey Theatre, to support the ability to work between the two venues.
- The lighting grid above the stage will allow students to be able to safely connect and implement theatre lighting without having to use ladders.
OTHER FEATURES
![NWSS, locker areas](https://www.vmcdn.ca/f/files/glaciermedia/import/lmp-all/1626904-locckers20201022-0051.jpg;w=960)
- Many classroom walls feature floor-to-ceiling whiteboard spaces.
- Many of the new desks that are now being received will change heights to allow for more versatility in learning and teaching.
- Locker areas for students have been installed with multiple outlets and charging stations.
- One of the walls in the Wood Craft room features finished panels of different types of wood, to help students see the difference between wood finishes.
- The gym flooring had to be dried out in a humidity-controlled space for six weeks in order to get it ready for installation.
For a full tour of the new NWSS interior, check out a photo gallery here.