^{Victoria, BC} Spencer Middle School

Located in the heart of Langford, one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing communities, Spencer Middle School has long been a cornerstone of the community, serving grades six through eight. As part of School District 62, Spencer Middle School caters to 640 students, offering a comprehensive range of academic, applied skills, and extracurricular opportunities designed to foster growth and enjoyment during these formative years.

In 2022, School District 62 approached us with an ambitious project: to help rejuvenate Spencer Middle School, which had been built in 1982. With Langford experiencing rapid growth and several new schools being constructed, Spencer Middle School’s outdated lighting and décor felt increasingly out of place. The goal was to create a welcoming, modern environment that would resonate with both current and prospective students.

To achieve this, we collaborated with our esteemed manufacturers, Cooper Lighting Solutions and Camman Lighting. The plan was to provide a fresh, modern look while incorporating advanced lighting control systems. The challenge was to complete this transformation over the summer break, ensuring the school was ready for the return of students in the fall.

Utilizing the Neo-Ray Define series from Cooper Lighting Solutions, we introduced a minimalist design featuring clean, uniform lines of illumination. This series offered unmatched design flexibility, providing a contemporary and welcoming aesthetic far removed from the old 1970s look. Additionally, we incorporated Cooper Lighting Solutions’ WaveLinx controls—intelligent, LED-based systems designed to reduce energy and operating costs while maintaining a comfortable learning environment.

To further enhance the aesthetic appeal, the Avalon 4 circular luminaire from Camman Lighting was incorporated. This circular contemporary pendant adds a touch of geometric character to the space while complimenting the minimalist lines of the Define series.

Key Benefits:

• Energy Efficiency: The switch from fluorescent to LED lighting improved energy efficiency by 60-70%, significantly lowering energy consumption and costs.
• Occupancy Sensors: These sensors automatically turn off lights when rooms are unoccupied, reducing wasted energy.
• Low Maintenance: LED bulbs, with a lifespan of 6 to 12 years, reduce the need for frequent replacements, saving labour hours and maintenance costs.
• Improved Lighting Quality: Enhanced lighting quality was shown to promote learning, boost student productivity, and improve academic performance.
• Decentralized Control: Teachers gained the ability to control classroom lighting, including colour temperatures, to mimic circadian cycles and optimize student focus.
• Enhanced Wellness: Better lighting contributed to improved acoustics and non-glare environments, making spaces more comfortable and less stressful for both students and teachers.
• Scalability: The system was designed to be future-ready, and easily reconfigurable to accommodate the growing student body or additional functionalities.

The project was a resounding success, delivered on time and within budget. The new lighting system was well-received by students, teachers, parents, and the school district, including the budget committee. Ryan Brown, Specification Consultant at Mac’s II Agencies, noted, “Timing was very important. The school district wanted us to update the lighting during school vacation so we wouldn’t disrupt classes. Cooper Lighting Solutions delivered everything right on time, so we were able to install everything without any delays… It was all commissioned within about a few hours.”

The revitalized Spencer Middle School now stands as a modern, energy-efficient, and welcoming environment that supports student learning and well-being, ready to serve its community for many years to come.