BURNABY, B.C. — British Columbia is marking its 250th school capital project since 2017 as 23 new and improved schools prepare to open their doors to students this September.
The projects include new schools, school additions and seismic replacements, creating space for approximately 4,700 additional students across 16 communities, according to the provincial government.
Premier David Eby highlighted the milestone Tuesday in Burnaby, where three school projects are opening or expanding this September.
“Across the province this fall, thousands of students will be stepping into brand-new classrooms to support their success,” Eby said. “Our kids deserve the best start possible.”
Since 2017, the province says it has approved more than $7 billion for school capital projects, delivering nearly 50,000 new student seats and almost 40,000 seismically safer seats in B.C. schools.
23 school projects opening this September
The 23 projects opening across B.C. include:
- Six new schools in six communities
- 14 school additions in 11 communities
- Three seismic replacements in three communities
The projects are supported by more than $560 million in provincial funding, according to the government.
Acting Minister of Infrastructure and Minister of Education and Child Care Lisa Beare said schools play an important role in communities beyond education.
“Schools are at the heart of our communities, where students learn, families connect and lifelong memories are made,” Beare said.
The province also says 51 additional school capital projects are currently underway, including 13 new schools, 27 additions, 10 seismic upgrades or replacements and one renovation.
Burnaby sees three projects open
In Burnaby, three school projects are opening this September, providing 265 new student seats and 415 seismically safer seats.
The projects include a new, seismically safer 415-seat Stride Avenue Community Elementary, which includes a neighbourhood learning centre for community programming and child-care space.
Nelson Elementary is receiving 100 new seats across four classrooms, while Brentwood Park Elementary is receiving 165 new seats across seven classrooms, along with a new gymnasium.
The Brentwood Park project is also continuing with further expansion and seismic upgrades.
Three additional Burnaby projects are under construction:
- Cameron Elementary is receiving a seismic replacement and expansion, adding 425 new seats and upgrading 345 seats for seismic safety.
- École Alpha Secondary is getting a new two-storey, 12-classroom addition, adding 300 seats.
- Brentwood Park Elementary is also receiving a child-care addition and further seismic upgrades.
Burnaby Board of Education chair Kristin Schnider said the new facilities will provide students with modern learning environments while supporting families and communities.
Projects across B.C.
The 23 projects opening this September span communities across the province.
Surrey will receive 150-seat additions at both Martha Currie Elementary and Latimer Road Elementary.
Coquitlam is opening a new 300-seat addition at École Dr. Charles Best Secondary.
North Vancouver is opening Cloverley Elementary, a new 585-seat school.
Maple Ridge is receiving 215 new seats at seismically upgraded Eric Langton Elementary and a 120-seat addition at Golden Ears Elementary.
Nanaimo is receiving a 150-seat addition at Chase River Elementary.
Richmond will see a new 315-seat City Centre Elementary and a seismic replacement of Alfred B. Dixon Elementary.
Langley Secondary is receiving a 300-seat addition, while Kelowna’s École Dr. Knox Middle School is receiving a 300-seat addition.
In Vancouver, a new 340-seat cəw̓as Ch’elxwá7elch Skwuláw̓txw Seaside Elementary is opening, alongside the seismic replacement of Sir Wilfred Grenfell Elementary.
Other projects are opening in Chilliwack, Terrace, qathet, Quesnel, Dawson Creek and Kamloops.
Focus on capacity and seismic safety
The provincial government says the school construction program is intended to address both growing enrolment and seismic safety.
The projects underway and completed since 2017 include new schools, additions, seismic upgrades and replacements.
In Burnaby, for example, the replacement of Stride Avenue Community Elementary is designed to provide a seismically safer learning environment while also incorporating community programming and child-care space.
The province says work will continue as it moves ahead with the remaining 51 projects currently underway.
StudioX News takeaway
The latest school capital milestone represents a significant expansion of B.C.’s public-school infrastructure since 2017. With 23 new or improved schools opening this September and dozens more projects underway, the province is continuing to add classroom capacity while addressing seismic safety across communities.
For families in rapidly growing communities such as Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, Maple Ridge and Langley, the new seats and expanded facilities are particularly relevant as school populations continue to require additional capacity.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
