The signing of two project agreements today by Minister of Education George Abbott and Vancouver school board chair Patti Bacchus will see the B.C. government invest $26.7 million to build two new elementary schools in Vancouver.

A new General Gordon Elementary school will be built in Vancouver's Westside at a cost of $14.7 million and International Village Elementary will be built in the False Creek North development at a cost of $12 million. Both schools will include Neighbourhood Learning Centres (NLC) that will deliver a range of community services to area residents.

(flickr.com)

General Gordon Elementary will have capacity for 40 full-day kindergarten and 400 grades 1-7 students. The NLC will provide space for a music program, multi-purpose area with a kitchen, flexible performance space, and an enhanced library and computer lab. Construction is expected to begin this winter, with completion expected for the start of the 2016 school year.

International Village Elementary will have capacity for 60 full-day kindergarten and 450 grades 1-7 students. The NLC will be a multi-purpose room located on the ground floor, adjacent to an existing day-care facility to maximize space. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2013 with an anticipated completion date of fall of 2015.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark, Vancouver-Point Grey MLA -

"For a hundred years now, General Gordon Elementary has served this community and its residents well. I know how valued this school has been during that time and I'm confident the new school will also serve the needs of families and the community for generations to come."

George Abbott, Minister of Education -

"I want to thank all the partners involved for the care they took in the planning of these new schools. With the addition of Neighbourhood Learning Centres, these facilities will become invaluable hubs for the communities they serve."

Mary McNeil, MLA Vancouver-False Creek -

"False Creek area is one of the fastest growing areas of Vancouver and I'm delighted to be part of the announcement that local families will have a new elementary school and enhanced day-care facility."

Patti Bacchus, Vancouver school board chair -

"I am pleased to see the General Gordon Elementary project moving forward and know that International Village Elementary will be a welcome addition for young downtown families."

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, 40 capital and seismic projects worth more than $188 million have been completed in the Vancouver school district. In addition, the B.C. government is investing more than $6.9 million for additional space for full-day kindergarten.
• During that same period, the B.C. government has spent more than $2.1 billion to complete 93 new and replacement schools, 150 additions, 27 renovations and 22 site acquisitions.
• The government is currently working to upgrade, replace and build a total of 60 schools throughout B.C. over the next four years. The total cost of these projects is approximately $1.5 billion.

Learn More:

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

Contact:

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