BC Hydro proposing to build new schools in efforts to upgrade infrastructure

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – BC Hydro is proposing a radical project to build new substations underground in downtown Vancouver.

It would involve building two new schools and taking over a park that was just built over six years ago.

The plans call for moving students from Lord Roberts Annex in the West End to a new school at Coal Harbour that Hydro would build in three years’ time.

A substation would then be built underground on the Lord Roberts site and once complete, a new school would also be built there by 2025.

The other substation would be built under Emery Barnes Park, with BC Hydro promising improvements to the park.

edited map

 

BC Hydro’s Mora Scott says exact costs haven’t been tabulated.

“At this stage, it’s still an idea that we are proposing for consideration, so we can’t talk about costs yet.”

She points out the current substations cannot be expanded because of space constraints. BC Hydro anticipates demand for electricity in Vancouver will grow by 75 per cent over the next 30 years.

She points out building underground is not a novel concept.

“We do have an underground substation already. We have had one since 1982 at Cathedral Square at the corner of Richards and Dunsmuir. We were the first utility to do that.”

The utility would also like to update the park at Cathedral Square.

As for putting kids on top of a large electric and magnetic field, BC Hydro sites Health Canada studies that there is no evidence of any health risks from magnetic field measurements below the recognized exposure limit of 2,000 milligauss.

BC Hydro says at Cathedral Square Park, above the existing underground substation in downtown Vancouver, measurements range from 2 mG to 100 mG.

For comparison, dishwashers and washing machines emit around 20 mG.

BC Hydro is looking for public input until February 28. The idea has already been shared with the Vancouver Park Board, the City of Vancouver, and the Vancouver School Board.

Artist's rendering of new school to replace Lord Roberts Annex

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today