It’s a new school named after the creek that flows through the neighbouring Langley communities of Walnut Grove and Willoughby Slope.

Today, it was time to celebrate a new chapter in the Langley school district as Education Minister Peter Fassbender joined students and staff to officially open Yorkson Creek Middle school.

A little more than a year ago, shovels went in the ground and construction began on the $26.2-million school, which boasts a spacious design with vibrant colours, large windows and concrete beams. Yorkson Creek Middle has a 750-student capacity for students in grades 6, 7 and 8, and is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® Gold standard to minimize environmental impact while increasing energy efficiency.

The Willoughby-area of the district now has seven schools enrolling 3,549 students, more than twice the number of students enrolled in the area 10 years ago.

Two new elementary schools have recently opened in the Willoughby-Slope area. In 2012, Lynn Fripps Elementary opened and in 2013, Richard Bulpitt Elementary opened, both with a 510-student capacity.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“Willoughby Slope is a fantastic community to raise a family, and we’ve seen this echoed in the Langley school district’s growing student enrolment.

“Yorkson Creek Middle helps to address the need for student spaces in this area. It’s a modern school for young learners in grades 6 through 8 and will become a cornerstone of the community.”

Rich Coleman, Fort Langley-Aldergrove MLA -

“Yorkson Creek Middle represents another key investment to the Langley school district that will serve this growing area for years to come.”

“Along with Lynn Fripps Elementary and Richard Bulpitt Elementary, these three new schools represent a $50-million capital commitment from government to the district and bring 1,770 new student spaces.”

Wendy Johnson, Langley board chair-

“A new school always creates excitement in the community. Yorkson Creek embodies the district’s vision of an innovative, inspiring and unified learning community.”

Quick Facts:

• Langley school district enrolment has increased in each of the last five years, by a total of nearly 900 students, including 100 additional students expected this school year. Current enrolment in the district is 19,370 students.
• The ministry’s current projections indicate gradual enrolment growth in district of about 1% to­ 2% annually over the next 10 years.
• Yorkson Creek Middle school was recently awarded the Fraser Valley Commercial Building Award for Merit, which was received by CHP Architects: http://chparchitects.com/news/

Learn More:

Yorkson Creek Middle school: http://www.yorksoncreekmiddle.com/

Langley school district (SD 35): http://www.sd35.bc.ca/pages/default.aspx

Media Contacts:

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