Summary

• Construction has begun on a new school addition that will provide 95 additional seats
• It will bring the capacity of the school, which is in Tsimshian territory, to more than 400 seats
• The new addition is set to open in summer 2026

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Families in Terrace will have more space for their children to learn, as a new addition that will create 95 new student seats at Suwilaawks Community School is underway.

“Investing in schools supports families today and builds strong communities,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This project will ensure families in Terrace have the room their children need to thrive in school today and for years to come.”

Benefits students

The new addition will include:

• four prefabricated classrooms to create more space for learning
• modern, energy-efficient design that helps keep classrooms comfortable year-round and supports a healthier learning environment
• safe, inclusive, gender-neutral washrooms
• fully accessible spaces so students with physical mobility needs can move comfortably and independently throughout the school
• improved heating and cooling to keep classrooms warm in winter and cool in summer
• better lighting and sound control to help students focus, hear clearly and learn more effectively
• up-to-date safety and seismic features designed to protect students and staff

“By expanding Suwilaawks Community School, we are not just adding seats; we are also creating opportunities for innovative learning and supporting the well-being of every student,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care. “This addition will allow teachers to help students reach their full potential.”

Supporting students in Terrace

The Province is investing $6 million in Suwilaawks Community School.

In 2025-26, the Coast Mountains School District received more than $4.3 million for a variety of projects from the Ministry of Infrastructure’s capital programs, including:

• annual facility grant: $2,137,266
• school enhancement program: $2,207,000

“As a board, we’re committed to ensuring every child in Terrace has access to safe, inspiring spaces to learn,” said Margaret Warcup, board chair, Coast Mountains School District. “This addition at Suwilaawks Community School reflects our long-term vision for supporting growing enrolment and strengthening the learning environment for students today and into the future.”

Creating more student spaces in B.C.

Since 2017, the Province has approved more than $6.7 billion to create more than 47,000 new student seats and more than 39,000 seismically safe seats in B.C. schools. 

Of these spaces, more than 23,500 new student seats and more than 33,000 seismically safer seats are already complete.

As the province grows, government is committed to working with school districts and municipalities in rural communities and throughout B.C. to provide students with safe and modern places to learn.

Learn More:

• For more information about K-12 school capital projects in B.C., visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/capital