From 1970s Elementary School to Modern Marine Training Facility
The Western Maritime Institute operates one of BC's premier marine training campuses out of a former elementary school in Ladysmith on Vancouver Island. The building — original 1970s construction — had never been brought up to modern commercial standards. It needed a full interior renovation to support the Institute's growing program and meet current building code requirements.
The constraint was absolute: the entire renovation had to be completed during the 5-week summer holiday window while students were off campus. There was no flexibility on the reopening date. Eurohouse mobilized a dedicated crew, worked around the clock, and delivered the completed facility on time — ready for students returning in September.
This is the kind of project that defines a contractor. Not a luxury showpiece — a demanding, schedule-driven institutional renovation that required relentless execution, smart sequencing, and zero excuses. We're proud of the result and proud to be the construction partner for WMI. We also completed their Surrey campus, which will be documented as a separate project.
Project Details
Before & After
The original 1970s interior vs. the renovated facility — new flooring, ceiling systems, HVAC, partitions, lighting, and finishes throughout
Before — 1970s Condition
After — 2024 Renovation
Construction Progress
Five weeks of around-the-clock work — flooring, HVAC, ceiling systems, partitions, millwork, and finishes
The Campus
Western Maritime Institute's Ladysmith facility — classrooms, training areas, marine simulation equipment, and outdoor training yard
The Challenge: 5 Weeks, No Extensions, Around the Clock
Marine training programs run on fixed schedules. The Institute needed the Ladysmith campus fully renovated and operational before students returned from summer break. That gave us exactly 5 weeks — and the existing building was original 1970s construction with outdated mechanical systems, deteriorated finishes, and no margin for error. Eurohouse ran 24/7 shifts, coordinated all trades in tight sequence, and handed over a finished facility on the agreed date.
Multi-Campus Relationship
Following successful delivery of the Ladysmith campus, Western Maritime Institute engaged Eurohouse to renovate their Surrey campus as well — a separate project that demonstrates the trust built through reliable execution. When a client comes back for a second facility, the first one spoke for itself.
What Eurohouse Delivered
Full Interior Demolition
Strip-out of all 1970s finishes, flooring, ceiling systems, and non-structural partitions to expose the shell for rebuild.
HVAC & Mechanical
New ductwork, ceiling-mounted diffusers, ventilation, and mechanical systems replacing original school-era equipment.
Electrical & Lighting
Updated electrical throughout with new commercial lighting, data infrastructure, and code-compliant distribution.
Flooring & Finishes
Commercial-grade LVT flooring, wall tile, paint, and trim throughout all classrooms, offices, and common areas.
Ceiling Systems
New drop ceiling grid with acoustic tile, integrated HVAC diffusers, and fluorescent lighting panels.
Partitions & Millwork
New interior partition walls, observation windows, built-in shelving, and custom millwork for classrooms and offices.
Commercial or Institutional Renovation?
From 5-week fast-track campus renovations to luxury presentation centres — Eurohouse delivers commercial projects with the same reliability we bring to every job. On time. On budget. No excuses.
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