A property purchase in Langley will lay the groundwork for a new elementary school for students and families in one of the province’s fastest-growing school districts.

The land on 78th Avenue is being acquired to accommodate a future elementary school in the Willoughby Slope area, which has the largest portion of undeveloped land in the Lower Mainland outside the Agricultural Land Reserve. The population of the area is estimated to grow by over 300% once it is fully developed, and existing elementary schools in the area are experiencing enrolment pressures.

“More and more families are choosing to make their homes in Langley, and our government is committed to building the schools they need,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education. “By purchasing this land now, we are investing in the future of families and students in Langley, and ensuring there is room to grow.”

“As one of the few growing school districts in the province, Langley is in need of the learning spaces that will be provided by the Southwest Yorkson project,” said Rob McFarlane, chair, Langley Board of Education. “The board of education and district staff have worked hard to secure a site for a future possible additional elementary school in the Willoughby community, and it is exciting to see those plans begin to take shape with the acquisition of a property.”

The Province has provided $7.6 million to the Langley School District to buy 1.86 hectares (4.6 acres) of land, while the district is contributing $1.7 million toward the purchase.

The site acquisition and future school is ranked as the Langley School District’s number 1 expansion project priority.

“With the incredible growth in the area, we are pleased to be on the road to a new local elementary school for students in the region, and we are looking forward to providing more innovative learning opportunities in Willoughby,” said Gordon Stewart, superintendent, Langley School District.

Government is committed to meeting the needs of growing communities like Langley, and working with partners to build new schools and upgrade existing ones in every region of the province.

The ministry has announced 30 projects totaling $488 million in school capital projects since September 2017.

Quick Facts:

• Budget 2018 invests a record $2 billion in school capital projects over the next three years.
• The Langley School District provides services to the Katzie, Kwantlen and Matsqui First Nations, the City of Langley and the Township of Langley.
• The Langley School District (SD35) has over 40 schools, about 18,000 students and employs more than 2,500 teachers, support staff and administrators.
• The Willoughby Slope area of SD 35 has five K-5 elementary schools feeding Yorkson Creek Middle school (grades 6-8), which in turn feeds R.E. Mountain Secondary school.
• A new Willoughby Slope Secondary school is under construction, and expected to open in the fall of 2019.