A project agreement has been signed paving the way for a new $22.7-million middle school in the rapidly growing Yorkson community in Langley.

The new Yorkson Area Middle school will accommodate 750 students in grades 6 to 8. The project includes space for a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC) that will deliver a range of community services to area residents. The anticipated occupancy date is September 2014.

Close to 150 jobs will be created during construction. The school will be built to a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standard to minimize environmental impact while increasing energy efficiency.

Currently, two more new school projects are underway in the Langley area. Construction will start shortly on the new $12.6-million elementary in the South East Yorkson area and the new $12.8 million Lynn Fripps Elementary is scheduled to welcome students in early September.

Quotes:

George Abbott, Minister of Education -

"I am pleased to see this new school in the growing Yorkson area get underway. Yorkson Area Middle school and its Neighbourhood Learning Centre will serve families and the community for generations to come."

Mary Polak, MLA Langley -

"Along with the two other school projects in Langley, I am excited about this new middle school. We are providing safe, efficient and modern schools for a growing Langley."

Rich Coleman, MLA Fort Langley-Aldergrove -
"Yorkson is a terrific part of Langley, and is a community that so many new families want to settle in. This new school will be a state-of-the-art facility that will provide high-quality education to students for many years to come."

Wendy Johnson, chair, Langley board of education -

"We are pleased to be working with government to get these new school projects underway as quickly as possible. As well, the Neighbourhood Learning Centres will help create communities in these new suburban areas where so many families have chosen to live."

Quick Facts:

• The Langley school district is one of the few districts in the province where K-7 student enrolment is growing.
• In 2011-12, 10,930 elementary school students were enrolled in the Langley school district.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government has invested more than $30.7 million in Langley on school capital projects. In addition, the government has committed $48.1 million for the new Lynn Fripps Elementary, the new elementary school in South East Yorkson and the new middle school in the Yorkson area.
• 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:

Langley school district: http://www.sd35.bc.ca/pages/default.aspx

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

Contact:

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