Vancouver School Board lets BC Hydro build underground substation at Lord Roberts Annex School
The school will be demolished, but a replacement will be built on the same property
The Vancouver School Board has approved a proposal to build an underground substation at the Lord Roberts Annex school site in the West End.
Board trustees voted six to two on Monday to accept the BC Hydro plan, which will see the building demolished and students temporarily moved to a new school in Coal Harbour by 2023.
After that, a substation will be built underground and a new school constructed on the same property.
According to a release from the VSB, BC Hydro will be buying rights at fair market value, while the school district will retain all rights to the property above ground.
But the proposed plan has raised concern among parents, who have said the project will be disruptive to students, and that not enough information has been provided.
Very sad about this deal being approved, and the effect it will have on the little jewel of Nelson Park and Lord Roberts Annex site. Progress :(( <a href="https://t.co/x6j4vnUF3G">https://t.co/x6j4vnUF3G</a>
—@jtvancouverHow disappointing. I thought the VSB trustees would have the courage to reject this bad deal. <a href="https://t.co/X729VItXhK">https://t.co/X729VItXhK</a>
—@McdonellHeidiIn a committee meeting last week, BC Hydro said the radiation level would fall well within World Health Organization standards, and the new substation would use a gas as insulation to reduce the risk of fire.
In a statement, BC Hydro said it was "pleased" with the VSB's decision.
"Our electricity system in downtown Vancouver is aging, and it's time to upgrade our system to ensure we can continue to provide safe and reliable power," it said.
"To do this, we need to build a new substation in the West End to replace the existing substation on Burrard Street."