After a more than two-month delay, new portables at two Victoria elementary schools will be ready for classes this week.

Staff at Quadra Elementary spent the day setting up what it's calling a new learning studio and say classes will be up and running in the unit Wednesday.

Students and teachers at the school were using the library and gymnasium as makeshift classrooms until the structure was built.

The portables were originally supposed to be finished by the start of the school year, and then Thanksgiving.

School District 61 has said it took longer than expected because of delays with new heating and ventilation systems as well as a construction labour shortage.

Staff at Quadra say the brand-new structure, more permanent than a traditional portable, was worth the wait.

"Short-term pain for long-term gain is the way I see it," said principal Marilyn Campbell. "What a perfect week to be in here because now we've got the rain outside and now our P.E. classes can be back in the gym."

A Supreme Court of Canada decision last year that reinstated reduced class size standards in B.C., combined with increasing populations has forced many districts to find more space for students.

Willows Elementary is also expected to open two new learning studios within the week.