Goldstone Park Elementary was filled with the sound of music as students and teachers, along with Education Minister Peter Fassbender and the Surrey board of education, officially opened the school today.

Named after nearby Goldstone Park, the $14.7-million Goldstone Park Elementary can accommodate up to 555 students from kindergarten to Grade 7. It features a Neighbourhood Learning Centre (NLC), which provides pre-school, before and after school care, and other community services. The school has been built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design® Gold or equivalent environmental standards and utilized B.C. wood throughout construction.

Student enrolment in almost every district in the province has declined. However, Surrey’s student population continues to rise. Goldstone Park Elementary is part of a $353-million school capital plan announced by Premier Christy Clark in October 2011. Katzie Elementary, a new school in the Clayton Heights area of Surrey, will open later this year, as well as additions for Fraser Heights Secondary and Panorama Ridge Secondary.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“It is wonderful to be back in Surrey and officially open Goldstone Park Elementary with students, teachers and the community.

“Congratulations to the Surrey board of education and our community partners on this beautiful new school for everyone.”

Marvin Hunt, MLA for Surrey-Panorama -

“Sullivan Heights has certainly seen rapid growth in the past few years as families have come to work and live in this part of Surrey.

“As a parent and a resident of Surrey, I am excited to have a new school in our community. The opening of Goldstone Park Elementary is not only great news for our students, but for parents as well as they access a variety of services at the school’s Neighbourhood Learning Centre.”

Shawn Wilson, Surrey board of education chair -

“It’s wonderful to see our students, teachers and parent community have such a beautiful, new facility to work, learn and play in.

“Our board is grateful to the Ministry of Education for this new school that helps meet the needs of young families in the growing Sullivan area, and we hope to soon have the opportunity to announce new schools for other growing neighbourhoods.”

Quick Facts:

• Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $290 million for 50 capital and seismic projects and 12 site acquisitions in the Surrey school district.
• During this time, government has committed a total of more than $4.1 billion on school capital and maintenance projects throughout B.C.

Learn More:

Goldstone Park Elementary: https://www.surreyschools.ca/schools/goldstonepark/Pages/default.aspx

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

Media Contacts:

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