In the spirit of community that Lynn Fripps spent a lifetime advocating, students, stakeholders and Langley MLA Mary Polak gathered today to officially open the new $12.6-million elementary school that now bears her name.

A dedicated and passionate community servant and volunteer, Fripps passed away in 2005 following a six-year battle with breast cancer. During today's opening, members of her family presented the school with a painting by her mother as well as a cheque to purchase an electronic sign for the front of the school.

Lynn Fripps Elementary has capacity for 510 kindergarten-to-Grade 7 students and helps ease enrolment pressures in the growing Willoughby area. Built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards, the school features a Neighbourhood Learning Centre that is home to a Precious Moments day care and pre-school. The Township of Langley also offers a variety of community services through the centre including immunization clinics, an Active Kids program and space for Girl Guides.

Adjacent to the new school, a community park - fittingly named Lynn Fripps Park - provides sand-turf fields, a playground area and walking trails for students and local families. A partnership between the school district and township provides additional parking and outside access washrooms for park patrons at the school.

Two additional projects are currently underway in the Langley school district - Richard Bulpitt Elementary school in the South East Yorkson area is under construction, and a project agreement to build a new middle school in the Yorkson area has been signed and tender for construction has closed.

Quotes:

Don McRae, Education Minister -

"The opening of Lynn Fripps Elementary not only eases enrolment pressure in this area of the Langley school district, but it also provides local families with essential services through its Neighbourhood Learning Centre. Combined with the fields, trails and open space of the community park next door, this school is going to be a hub for students and families to remain active, healthy and happy."

Mary Polak, MLA for

"Living in Willoughby myself, I see firsthand the increasing number of young families who are choosing this wonderful community for their home. With the addition of Lynn Fripps Elementary school along with a Neighbourhood Learning Centre, we are working together with the Langley school district to meet the needs of this growing part of Langley."

Wendy Johnson, Langley school board chair -

"I think the joy this new school is bringing to students, staff and our local community is something Lynn would have been very proud of. I hope everyone who walks through the door here remembers her spirit of advocacy and service and is inspired to make their own community a better place."

Quick Facts:

• The Langley school district is one of the few districts in the province where K-7 student enrolment is growing.

• Currently, 10,852 elementary school students are enrolled in the Langley school district in the 2012-13 school year.

• Since 2001, the government of B.C. has invested more than $30.7 million in the Langley school district on capital projects.

• Since 2001, the government has spent more than $2.4 billion to complete capital projects including 96 new and replacement schools, 151 additions, 27 renovations and 25 site acquisitions throughout B.C. All new and replacement schools have been constructed to meet the latest seismic standards.

• Since 2001, the government has committed more than $4 billion to school capital and maintenance projects throughout B.C.

Learn More:

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

BC's Education Plan: www.bcedplan.ca

Contact:

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