Canadian Wood Used to Rebuild Chinese Primary School Destroyed by Earthquake

By Chantal Hunter

January 2010

Officials from the governments of Canada and British Columbia recently travelled to China to unveil a plaque commemorating the opening of Xiang’e Primary School in Sichuan Province.

The event celebrated Canada and B.C.’s contributions to building a new school for hundreds of children in one of the areas hardest hit by the devastating earthquake that struck western China in May 2008.

The school is the first project to be funded under the $8 million Canada–B.C. Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Project, announced in June 2008. At that time, Canada and B.C. committed to assisting survivors by helping to reconstruct public buildings damaged or destroyed by the earthquake. Canada’s contribution of $3 million is being made through Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan’s) Canada Wood Export Program.

View of school cafeteria

Wood-frame buildings are especially well-suited for earthquake-prone regions because of their adaptability and seismic stability. The facilities built under this project used 100-percent Canadian wood.

“This school demonstrates that Canadian wood-frame construction can meet China’s requirements for buildings that provide stability in earthquake-prone areas,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources.

Located in a rural area, the primary school was virtually destroyed during the earthquake, taking the lives of many students and rescuers. The new, 5,300-square metre school is the first multi-storey wood frame structure in China. When the school opened for classes in September 2009, close to 400 students and their teachers were welcomed back into classrooms and administrative areas.

Exterior view of school

The school complex also includes dormitories and a cafeteria and can house up to 540 students. Wood framing and wood panels were used to create the ceilings and the interior and exterior walls. Wood was also used in the exterior landscaping for bench seating and the main archway into the school grounds.

Construction of the school was a collaborative effort between Canadian officials from Forestry Innovation Investment, the B.C. government’s international marketing agency for forest products; the Canada Wood Group, an industry marketing association; and Chinese officials from Tongji University and Shanghai Municipal Reconstruction.

“The new school is a proud example of Chinese and Canadian teamwork,” says Bob Jones, Director of Industry and Trade with NRCan’s Canadian Forest Service (CFS).

Work on two other Canada–B.C. Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction projects is scheduled for the near future. Construction of the Mianyang Special School for the Disabled is already underway, and in early 2010 work will begin on the Beichuan Leigu Town Elderly Care Centre.

For more information about the Canada–B.C. Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Project, visit the NRCan NewsRoom