Gitwinksihlkw Elementary School Gym Addition

Nisga’a School District serves the First Nations people of the Nisga’a Nation in the Nass Valley. At the time the new additional was approved, Gitwinksihlkw Elementary School had 27 enrolled students but a much larger overall capacity of 20 kindergarteners and 50 elementary students. The students currently use the gymnasium facilities at the community centre across the road, bringing about road safety concerns. Additionally, the community centre gym is not always available, as it must adhere to the community centre schedule. This new gymnasium on school property will allow for future grade reconfiguration as well as a greater variety of education and school community activities.

Due to the steep roof slopes of the existing building, the most sensible design decision was to locate the new gymnasium extension at the northeastern face of the building. The gym addition was designed to be accessible for community activities after hours with entrance lobby and change rooms available.