Students will benefit from new or expanded schools, as the Province rolls out a $353-million school capital plan, Premier Christy Clark announced today.

"There are school districts in our province that have experienced tremendous student enrolment growth in recent years, and are in need of funds to expand current schools or build new ones. That's why we are taking action today," said Premier Christy Clark. "This investment will also create more jobs, which is great news for B.C. families."

Projects approved for funding include:

Six new elementary schools.

• One new middle school.
• Two new secondary schools.
• Four school additions.
• Six school site purchases - four of which are for future schools.

The new capital plan focuses on high-priority projects. For example, the fastest-growing B.C. school district - Surrey (SD 36) - has been approved for eight new projects, including two new elementary schools, two secondary school additions, and the purchase of land for four future schools to accommodate projected growth.

"The Surrey school district is the fastest-growing district in the province, and there is no doubt that these eight new projects will help alleviate some of the pressures they've been facing," said Finance Minister and MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale Kevin Falcon. "These schools will become an important part of our community, and will help create jobs right here in Surrey."

Premier Clark made the announcement at Hazelgrove Elementary school in Surrey today. Meanwhile, across the Georgia Strait on Vancouver Island, students in the Sooke school district (SD 62) celebrated the news with Education Minister George Abbott (youtu.be) as they learned that they would be getting not one, but two new secondary schools to help with future secondary growth in the district, and to replace the current Belmont Secondary school.

(flickr.com)

"We're investing in our children's education by making sure they have the right environment to support their learning," said Abbott. "These are investments that will support students for years to come, while easing some of the immediate enrolment pressures facing school districts like Surrey and Sooke."

The Province is working in partnership with the Surrey school district, which has committed approximately $23 million to these projects, and the Sooke school district, which has committed approximately $30 million from the future sale of the current Belmont Secondary site, for a total of $53 million.

"Our board is thrilled to be able to move ahead in such a significant way to address our rapid growth and I sincerely thank the provincial government for its responsiveness," said Laurae McNally, chair of the Surrey board of education. "Surrey trustees have worked very hard in communicating a solid business case to the Province and in engaging the community and our partners - who have all been wonderfully supportive - and our board looks forward to building on our experience and success to see that these schools and additions are up and running ASAP."

"This is incredible news for the students and staff at Belmont Secondary school, as well as the families in the Sooke school district who will benefit from two new secondary schools," said Wendy Hobbs, chair of the Sooke board of education. "The new secondary school in Royal Bay and the replacement school for Belmont Secondary will support our growing community and I know the students of the WestShore are looking forward to the day they see these two wonderful schools open."

Once projects get underway, an estimated 1,850 jobs will be created for families across the province, building on 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan' which was released in September.

Over the past 10 years, government has spent more than $1.8 billion to complete 83 new and replacement schools, 149 school additions, 26 renovations and 22 site acquisitions across British Columbia. In the same time, the Province has committed more than $3.9 billion to school capital and maintenance projects.

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963

BACKGROUNDER

The Province has announced a $353-million capital plan for new and upgraded schools in B.C. Projects approved for funding include:

School District 23 (Central Okanagan)

• One new elementary school in the district of West Kelowna
• An addition for Okanagan Mission Secondary

School District 35 (Langley)

• Two new schools for the Willoughby area:
• a new elementary school (including the site acquisition) and a new middle school

School District 36 (Surrey)

• Two additions:
  
• Fraser Heights Secondary
• Panorama Ridge Secondary

• Two new elementary schools:
• South Newton
• East Clayton

• Four site acquisitions for future schools:
• Two elementary schools in the Clayton and Grandview Heights neighbourhoods
• Two secondary schools in the Clayton and Grandview Heights neighbourhoods, to accommodate enrolment growth at Earl Marriott Secondary and Lord Tweedsmuir Secondary

School District 38 (Richmond)

• An addition to Henry Anderson Elementary in central Richmond

School District 39 (Vancouver)

• A new elementary school in the International Village neighbourhood

School District 62 (Sooke)

• Two secondary schools:
• a replacement for Belmont Secondary
• a new secondary school in Royal Bay

School District 93 (Conseil scolaire francophone)

• One new elementary school in the False Creek area of Vancouver (including the site acquisition)

Contacts:

Chris Olsen
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
604 220-1640

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963