Historic school will grow a bit — but façade will be kept

Work has begun on a $79.7-million project at Victoria High School that will see the historic Fernwood building expanded and seismically upgraded.

Completion is scheduled for September 2022. The school will relocate to the former S.J. Willis Education Centre while the project is underway.

The school’s facade and other heritage features will be kept.

Its student capacity will be expanded to 1,000 from 800.

Added features will include a neighbourhood learning centre with child-care spaces.

Vic High has been in its current location on Grant Street since 1914, but the school dates to 1876, when it was located in a log building on the grounds of what is now Central Middle School.

It is the oldest high school west of Winnipeg and north of San Francisco. — Times Colonist